Perhaps the most recognizable hug giver on campus, Wendy Norton rouses smiles from the otherwise exhausted and harried students in line to swipe their cards at the Usdan Marketplace. After working at the University for over 12 years, Norton has made countless student friends, but has also endured unimaginable hardships.

From the Spirits to the soccer team, Norton has touched many lives—and has been referred to by more than one student as a “campus mother.”

Leah Lucid ’10, a member of a capella ensemble The New Group, said her friendship with Norton began when she noticed Norton’s perfect attendance at all of their shows.

“I have considered Wendy my ‘Wes Mama’ since freshman year,” wrote Lucid in an e-mail to The Argus. “I remember she always used to call me ‘Smiley’ as a nickname because every time I saw her, I couldn’t help but have a huge smile on my face!”

But Lucid’s relationship with Norton is based on far more than small talk, run-ins, and nicknames. She said their relationship became especially meaningful in the spring of her junior year when her best friend, Johanna Justin-Jinich ’10, was shot and killed on May 6—Norton’s birthday. Lucid recalls Norton bringing food to the students waiting in North College for news from the hospital.

“I don’t remember everything from that day, but I do remember her hugging me and encouraging me to eat something,” Lucid wrote. “It was there, on her birthday, that Wendy became more than just my ‘Wes Mama.’ She became my dear friend.”

Lucid, who is currently working with Shining Hope for Communities in Kenya, has stayed in touch with Norton, and says that their relationship only strengthened after Johanna’s death. And just as Norton has provided many students with support when they needed it, she said students have done the same for her.

Last year, Norton’s husband passed away suddenly of an unexpected heart attack. The Wesleyan Spirits performed “Amazing Grace” at her husband’s funeral to express their consolation for Norton.

“When my husband passed away I had to have the Spirits there,” she said. “They learned ‘Amazing Grace’ just for me. They were all there and they did an amazing job.”

Justin Bours ’10, another one of Justin-Jinich’s close friends and a member of the Spirits, said that he received overwhelming support and kindness from Norton following his friend’s passing and jumped at the chance to perform at Norton’s husband’s funeral, which was held in the Memorial Chapel.

“When her husband passed I thought it was only appropriate to reciprocate such wonderful support by agreeing to Wendy’s request that the Spirits sing her husband’s favorite song, ‘Amazing Grace,’” wrote Bours in an e-mail to The Argus.

Evident from the way she is greeted at her desk in Usdan, Norton has a number of strong relationships with other students on campus.

Henry Kiely ’11, also a Spirits member, describes Wendy as “a heartbeat.”

“Wendy has sort of become the student body den mother at Wesleyan,” wrote Kiely in an email to The Argus. “She’s one of the few people in the world who continues to care, regardless of how shitty her day might be. It’s easy not to care when you don’t feel like caring, but Wendy always pushes through and is there for us, even when she isn’t on top of the world.”

Norton maintains relationships outside of the University, too. Tim Dodds ’11 even helps with one of Norton’s twin sons’ athletic training. He too refers to Norton as his campus mother.

“She has the rare ability to smile after feeling only pain, to get up after no one else would blame her for being down,” wrote Dodds in an e-mail to The Argus. “She’s a selfless mother to the entire campus, and only modest after doing everything that this enormous title requires of her.”

Norton’s fellow Usdan staff member and close friend has a theory on Norton’s ability to sustain such incredible relationships with students. Merton Champagne, perhaps more commonly and affectionately known as ‘The Pizza Man’ credited Norton’s friendships to her own experience mothering.

“Most of the Wes kids are far from home and the first person they see is a mother figure: Wendy,” wrote Champagne in an e-mail to The Argus. “She has done a great job with her own children.”

Norton, who used to work many extra hours, has stopped taking on overtime to be home with her own children after her family’s tragedy. Sometimes, she said, she misses the extra time at the University. She said that her work here distracts her and that the students lift her spirits.

“The community is the best part of Wesleyan,” Norton said. “When things go wrong everybody seems to pull together.”

Norton said she wants to focus on the gratitude she feels for the support she has received in conquering what she calls the darkest, most difficult time of her life.

“I would like to express my extreme gratitude for the Wesleyan students, the Wesleyan staff, and the Wesleyan Spirits,” Norton said. “They have been full of love and support, and this has definitely helped me. Hugs are always available. I like to be there to listen when students are having a hard time, but you guys are wise beyond your years. You’ve given me advice and you are always there for me.”

Norton has undoubtedly made an impression on the University.

“She has a support system four classes deep to help cheer her up when she’s blue, just as she does for us,” Kiely wrote.

Lucid agreed that Norton is one of the defining aspects of her college experience.

“Wendy gives the campus a mom figure if you’re missing yours, a warm hug if you need one, and a friend who loves you unconditionally,” she wrote. “I can’t imagine my four years at Wes without Wendy in them, and thankfully I don’t need to.”