Christine Eberhart has never met a stranger.
As a senior parking compliance monitor at the University of Georgia’s Tate Student Center parking deck, she is known for her wide smile and welcoming personality.
Whether directing traffic or helping customers at the pay stations, Eberhart makes it her mission to connect with everyone she meets.
“I love mixing and mingling with people,” she said. “If I see somebody walking in the deck, I’m going to go talk to them, and then that’s a new friend.”
Eberhart grew up in Oglethorpe County as the second youngest of 11 children. After high school, she earned her cosmetology certification from Athens Technical College. She worked for several years as a self-employed hairdresser in the Athens area.
Eberhart’s journey to UGA began in 1991 when her mother-in-law, a building services worker, took a medical leave of absence. Eberhart stepped in temporarily and quickly impressed with her work ethic and dedication. After her contract ended, she was offered a permanent position at Soule Hall, which housed women athletes at the time.
At Soule Hall, Eberhart became much more than just a staff member. She was a regular at the women’s basketball games and formed lasting bonds with the students over the years. Many of them still keep in touch with her, sending gifts and updates from around the world long after graduation.
“My favorite part about working here is the people that you meet from different backgrounds, cultures, and religions,” she said. “You learn a lot about different areas, and I love that.”
In 2005, Eberhart was ready for a change, so she applied for a senior parking attendant position with Auxiliary Services. After starting at the Hull Street deck, she eventually moved to her current role at the Tate Student Center deck.
Eberhart approaches each day with enthusiasm and a drive to help others, especially when it comes to making students and families feel welcome.
“If anybody needs help, we help them, even if it’s not parking related,” she said. “A lot of parents are bringing their kids here for the first time, and I always tell them, ‘If your son or daughter needs to know something, come see us. They don’t have to feel lost.’”
Eberhart assists customers with everything from how to pay for parking to where to find the best restaurants in town. Students often stop and chat with her about upcoming presentations or tests, and she offers them with advice and encouragement. Her approach is always to stay helpful, no matter the tone of the conversation.
One of her most rewarding challenges is engaging with the quieter visitors. She recalls one man who parked in the deck daily but never spoke.
“He’d look at me and throw up his hand,” she said. “But I kept speaking to him every day. And one day, he started talking, and he wouldn’t stop. That’s a victory to me. That’s another friend.”
Outside of work, Eberhart remains active in her community, especially through her church and various ministries. Family is central to her life, and she makes time to see them each week. And when she gets home, she’s greeted by a refrigerator full of magnets from all over the world, sent to her by the friends she’s made during her 33 years at UGA.
“The University of Georgia is a good place,” she said. “You meet people, and they don’t let it go. You find new friends for the rest of your life.”
