I’m sitting on the bench outside the library, flicking my pen back and forth as I wait patiently for Effie Willis, the object (it seems) of everyone’s attention. Willis is the morning security officer at Quinn Library. She has been working at Fordham since 2007.

She’s back after months of recuperation from a broken ankle. It feels like every student passing by is thrilled to see her again, hugs and oh-my-Gods abound. It’s kind of like dealing with a minor celebrity. Everyone is genuinely happy to see Willis back.

In fact, for the duration of her interview. Willis continues to get greetings from tons of well-wishers. What makes Willis such a star at Fordham? The Observer sat down with Willis and asked her a few questions:

OBSERVER: Can you tell me something about your history?

WILLIS: I live in Yonkers, but I grew up in Wilmington, N.C. I came to New York out of high school. I went back to [North Carolina] to go to college, but I changed my mind and came back here. It’s just not for me. North Carolina, the South, no.  I love New York, love the diversity.  You know sometimes on the train, everyone’s speaking in other languages—I love that.

OBSERVER:  You’ve been working at Fordham almost four years; what else did you do before starting here?

WILLIS:  Before Fordham, I worked at this company called Blue Sky Studios. They make computer animated movies, I don’t know if you’ve heard of the movie “Ice Age?” It was a very fun place. I was also working at the World Trade Center during the first bombing [in 1993]. I was supposed to come in later that morning; it was a sad thing. I put that in a place in my mind that I try not to think about.

OBSERVER:  You get to see a lot of people every day; do you make friends with members of the Fordham community?

Willis:  I love working with young people; they keep you alive. I love the students here—matter of fact, this is a bittersweet year for me. I came in with a lot of students in 2007 that are graduating in 2011. There are quite a few dance majors and theatre majors that I got pretty close to, and I’m a little sad to see them go.

Observer: Do you plan on keeping in touch with them?

Willis:  Last year, I was friends with a senior. When I hurt my ankle, she came up to Yonkers to visit me—I was so touched, I really was. So yeah, I do think so. Matter of fact, one of the Ailey students and I went to Governor’s Island to meet up, and she was surprised that she was actually having fun with an old lady!

Observer: What other hobbies do you have, besides visiting Governor’s Island?

Willis: I like to go see Broadway shows. I got the chance to see “Fences” with Denzel Washington, I got to shake his hand. Have you heard of Brian Grazer? He did movies like “Cocoon” and “A Beautiful Mind”. I saw him while I was waiting for Denzel to come out, and Brian came out instead, and I was like, “Brian! Brian!” and he stopped and stared at me, like “Who is that?” (laughs) And I’m standing there waving at him. Also, this sounds corny, but, um, I like long walks on the beach (laughs).

Observer: Do you have any special talents, like singing, dancing, etc.?

Willis: Oh, I can’t sing. One time I was singing in church—this happened twice!—and this man comes up to me and says, “Oh, I so enjoyed your voice!” (laughs). I was like, “Who are you talking to?” I can’t sing.

Observer: What’s your biggest pet peeve about your job?

Willis:  It’s not my job to remember everyone’s faces. “You know me, I just walked past”—no, a thousand people just walked past. I can even say that some people look down on me because I’m security and I ask for their ID cards. But if you look at the airports, not only are they feeling you up now, you have to go through a full body scan. All I’m asking is for your ID card! I don’t want the commentary. I don’t want the debate. I’m just doing my job.

Observer: What on-the-job story comes to mind first?

Willis: One time, this older lady with a shopping bag walked in and just sat down behind the circulation desk. And I was like, “What are you doing?” She said, “Using the computer.” And I was like, “No…?” No one knew who she was! That’s why I have to ask for your IDs.

Observer: Finally, what’s the one thing you wish the Fordham community knew about you?

Willis: I am more than my job. And I’m not a security guard, go look up what guard is in the dictionary. I’m a security officer.  I don’t like that word guard. All I want people to know is not to judge me. I show you respect, you show me respect. If you scream at us, we feel it. It’s kind of Shakespearean. You don’t know what path you’ll walk in life.