Meet Ms. CT, the Auburn Bookstore's official greeter

For many students, spending hundreds of dollars on textbooks is not a particularly pleasant experience.
Carolise Trupp, the Auburn Bookstore's official greeter, knows how to change that.
Trupp, affectionately nicknamed Ms. CT, has worked at the bookstore for the past 11 years.
Despite being a fixture on Auburn's campus, Trupp has lived in the city for less than two decades.
"I am a Miami, Fla., native," Trupp said. "I worked at Miami Elevator Company for 30 years. My son came here for college in 1972. By the time I retired, he had gotten married and had two daughters. I moved here about 16 years ago because I wanted to be near them."
Trupp, who has always enjoyed working, said she wanted to try a new kind of job.
"I was getting older, and my granddaughters were getting to where they could take care of themselves," Trupp said. "I heard there was an opening at the bookstore, so I came and applied. I'm very fortunate that they hired me."
Meredith Jane Bragwell, junior in elementary education, is a textbook sales associate at the bookstore.
"Ms. CT always greets me when I'm coming in and coming out, even though I work here," Bragwell said. "I think that is really sweet, because you would think she would only make that effort for the customers. She goes out of her way to say 'hi' to everyone. Sometimes I come in and out several times a day and she always greets me. "
According to Trupp, one of the best parts of the job is being able to work with people she cares about.
"I don't get around as well anymore," Trupp said. "I park in the parking deck and ride the golf cart from there to the door, and someone in here comes out and walks me in. I am so fortunate to work with them. I really am."
Trupp said she never gets tired of what she does.
"I feel good most of the time since I like to be around people," Trupp said. "Once in awhile somebody will ignore me when I say 'hello' to them, but it's okay. They're just talking on their phone or listening to their music. "
Most students appreciate Trupp's greetings, however, and they never fail to show it.
"So many students are nice to me, and they tell me they appreciate me saying, 'Hello,' to them," Trupp said. "I have one that I always remember. I used to tell him 'Good luck with your test,' as he walked out, and he would always come back and say 'Because you told me to do good, I did.' But I know it was really because he studied hard."
That was not the only time someone returned Trupp's kindness.
"This Valentine's Day, two young men came and bought me some Valentine's candy," Trupp said. "They told me how much they appreciated me saying, 'Hello,' and 'Goodbye,' to them. I thought it was so nice of them to do that."
The positive impact Trupp's presence has on people is hard to deny.
Alexander Dunaway, sophomore in mechanical engineering, also works at the bookstore.
"Ms. CT can really brighten up your day," Dunaway said. "Occasionally I get to walk with her, and we always have really nice conversations. She likes to be everyone's friend."