When buying books for spring term, be sure to seek out Ernie Bok, the energetic bookstore employee who passes on her positive outlook and unique brand of humor to whomever she meets.
A bookstore employee for the last five years, Bok feels a sense a youthfulness on the job because she is surrounded by students who give her a fresh perspective on life.
“She is always ready to help a customer like myself. Ernie is nice and energetic,” said Nicole Anderson, a recent customer at the bookstore. “You can really see that she loves her job.”
Bok exhibits her carefree personality in all aspects of her life, especially in her work.
“Ernie is fun to work with and there have been many laughs about our ongoing joke about our frizzy hair,” said Tiffany Richardson, a member of the bookstore staff.
When not assisting customers or spreading her infectious smile around the bookstore, Bok said she enjoys relaxing at home in a comfortable chair with a good book, usually of the self-help/spiritually inspirational genre. On a sunny weekend, she and her husband have been known to head off to the beach for a couple of days to appreciate nature.
Originally from Arizona, Bok moved to Oregon “many moons ago” to reap the benefits of Eugene’s slow-paced lifestyle. In addition to her work, she is also a devoted wife and mother of two daughters: one, a University alumna and one who presently attends the University. With her light-hearted humor, Bok joked that it seemed as if she has been married since 1920.
Bok has a diverse knowledge of all areas of the bookstore. She is perfectly happy in each and every department as long as she can interact with the customers and feel a sense of purpose. Although Bok is happy anywhere, she most enjoys working as a cashier where she can engage in friendly chit-chat while ringing up the merchandise.
“When you find something you enjoy doing, you never work another day of your life,” Bok said.