Omar Jamarillo
Almost anyone who has ever eaten at Fountain Dining Hall has met Roanna Taw, even if they didn’t realize it. Nearly everyday she is there to give students and faculty a fist bump and words of encouragement as she cleans the tables and interacts with students. Roanna Taw was recently awarded with the Jenny Chang Award for her outstanding service with NC State Dining.
Originally from Burma (currently known as Myanmar) Roanna and her husband became refugees in Thailand to escape military rule. They lived in a refugee camp for almost thirteen years before moving to the United States in 2007. Roanna first started working for NC State Dining in 2011 at Case Dining Hall before moving to Fountain where she has been for several years.
Her friendliness and positivity have made her a popular figure with NC State Dining. A student who eats regularly at Fountain Dining Hall said, “I was stressing out about a test one morning in Fountain and she came over and fist-bumped me and said good morning and that was enough to make me feel better. She’s one of the best parts about eating there.”
Her daily affirmations and kindness are what inspired CALS Senator Omar Jaramillo to nominate her for the Jenny Chang Award in 2020. Omar wrote in his letter to the CALS Senate President, “Roanna serves as a face for the NC State community for prospective students and their families, which is all the more reason as to why she deserves this recognition and honor.”