The first thing out of Andrea Richardson’s mouth was, “Why do you want to interview me?” It was easy to see that she is soft-spoken but has a welcoming personality.
Richardson is the full-time academic secretary of the Department of Music. Though she is not a Union graduate, Richardson has loved the Union campus ever since moving to Jackson. Being able to live near campus and work at a university brings her joy. Prior to accepting the role of academic secretary in October 2021, Richardson applied to several other positions across campus. She trusted that the Lord had a plan when he placed her in the Department of Music, an area of study where she jumped into the deep end with no prior knowledge.
“I don’t have any background in music. I absolutely love music and listening to it, but no background,” Richardson said. “My mom tried to start me on piano lessons when I was younger, but I never wanted to practice, but now I wish I had.”
About six years ago when she and her husband moved to Jackson, she said the Lord blessed her with the home she has now.
When Richardson was in college, a university employee named Mrs. Reeves opened her home to college students, and Richardson was one of those students. She spent a lot of her time with Mrs. Reeves. Because of her interactions with Mrs. Reeves, she knew that one day she wanted to share that same bond with college students in the future.
Six months after Richardson and her husband moved into their house, a couple of students from another local university reached out to her to see if they could stay at her home for one night. Of course, she said yes; they happened to be music students.
As she recounted this story her eyes lit up, demonstrating how happy she was to give back. The students were very thankful to spend the night in a real home rather than a dorm room, and to give thanks, they played her piano and filled the living room with music. It was at that moment that she prayed and said, “Lord, I really want this house to be filled with music.”
A month after this prayer, the position she now occupies opened up, and she applied.
“Now, not only do I have college students I can help, but my home is filled with music when students come by and visit,” she told me.
Richardson is a full-time academic secretary, which is different from most academic secretaries on campus. She interacts with students all day long. Whether that be setting up meetings with professors or attending their recitals.
Every music major must take a recital class and perform, so throughout the semester each student will perform.
“It’s not like just one student performing; it’s several, ” Richardson said. “It’s kind of like you get a mini concert in the middle of the week. It has been such a blessing being able to watch them grow. The students are so talented.”
She helps with behind-the-scenes work that most people would never see because the department has gotten busier over the years. She helps coordinate students’ performance travel schedules and music camps hosted by Union in the summer.
Finding peace in job searches and learning the ropes of new positions can be difficult. I asked Richardson if she had felt that peace, knowing she has not even been in her role for a year yet.
She responded with, “Such a good question. I think it really hit me when I was sitting at the “Night of Worship” at Englewood, praising The Lord with the choir and worship leader. It hit me then, at how precisely God has answered my prayers. Where I can give back and bless students like they blessed me.”
Richardson’s story is inspiring and shows that practicing patience is worth it. She asked God to fill her home with music; He did. She prayed to be a part of a university; He answered.
Clark Walker, a junior commercial music major, said, “My favorite part about Mrs. Richardson is her vibrant personality and kindness. Mrs. Richardson, no matter how busy she is, will take the time to have a conversation with you, and always lends a helping hand when needed. I think she has been a great addition to Music department!”
As my time at Union comes to a close, it was special to get to know Richardson in these last few weeks. As I am trying to figure out the next steps in my path, her story gave me a huge sense of peace.
When I thanked her for taking the time to sit down with me, I told her I needed a picture to go with the story. She immediately ran down the hallway because she wanted her students to be in the picture with her as well. This is a testament to who she is.
“I truly love each and every one of the students as if they were my own. They are all talented and unique in their own way, and I love them.”
Photo by Ellie Haynes
