Monica Frese

Twenty years ago, Monica Frese and her husband, Moisie, escaped Romania in search of a better life. After six years of moving around—first to a refugee camp in Vienna, then to Ontario, and eventually to British Columbia—Monica found her home at Trinity Western University as a part of the custodial staff.

Third-year students who live in Robson Hall will easily recognize her as the substitute “mom” who cleans up after them and the friend who is willing to listen, encourage, and pray. But Monica can also be found around campus during the summer organizing the custodial staff as they prepare the entire campus for various conferences and events—sometimes in a matter of mere hours.

Monica also meets with her co-workers every Monday to pray for TWU. Fondly remembering her mother’s childhood advice to “always try to do the best in everything,” Monica’s two joys at TWU are making sure the campus stays beautiful and, more importantly, showing love to TWU’s students.

“My favourite thing about working at Trinity Western,” Monica says, “is being there when the students need me the most. It’s a hard job, but it’s easy when you see people happy around you.”

by Jamie Hall