Melinda Hipple isn’t the typical sales associate at a gas station; instead she is a friendly face, an advice giver and a sometimes-motherly figure to many Baker University students who regularly make a run to Kwik Shop.

Hipple is originally from Harrisonville, Mo., but was first brought to Baldwin City through her job in Kansas City, Kan. and her husband’s job in Topeka. Baldwin City was the chosen town in between the two, which made traveling to their jobs a manageable distance.

Through her marriage of 34 years she moved many times. Moving back to Baldwin City, where she has resided for the past year and a half after her divorce, was her 26th move.

Hipple has a 23-year-old son, Aaron, who attended Baker. He now lives near Aspen, Colo.

“That is one reason I enjoy the Baker kids, because he’s about the same age,” Hipple said.

When Hipple first arrived back in Baldwin City, she knew she needed a job, so she filled out several applications. She heard from an old friend of her son’s that there would be an opening in August for the night shift at Kwik Shop. She also had offers from Santa Fe Market and was interviewed by the Baldwin City school district for a librarian position.

She agreed to work at Santa Fe Market, but when she was moving her things into town, she stopped at the Kwik and was told someone was fired and a day position was available. She ended up declining Santa Fe Market’s offer and decided to work at the Kwik, although she was still talked into working the night shift.

“They wanted someone to work there as a mother figure,” Hipple said.

She said she chose to work at the Kwik for the kids, and also because she needed the benefits.

“She’s special to me because she’s a good friend and I like visiting her when she works,” sophomore Berenice Weisel said.

“I wouldn’t trade the night shift for the day shift,” Hipple said. “I have too much fun playing with the college kids.”

She considers herself a “people person” and believes a job is a big part of one’s personal life.

“I like visiting her because I know she’s from town and it’s nice to know people from Baldwin,” junior Ruben Lara said. “She knows a lot of Baker students by now.”

Lara said Hipple has been known to give good advice.

“You wouldn’t think that someone who works at the Kwik would be that good of a friend to you,” he said.

Hipple has got to know many regulars while working at the Kwik, but the students are her favorite.

“There are regulars that come in that I have a pretty good time with, but it is the kids,” Hipple said. “Many of whom I am Facebook friends with.”

Hipple is not only online to use Facebook; she also writes for an online magazine called “Notes From Gean,” where she is an editor, an online mistress and working on cover photos. She considers herself a writer, although it isn’t paying her living expenses.

She has written several novels although they haven’t been published. Hipple also writes Japanese short form poems like Haikus and other types of poems like free verse, which have been published.

“I do have poetry coming out in other magazines,” Hipple said. “I love any kind of poetry. I’ve been asked to write a book review of other poetry for another magazine.”

Hipple also takes interest in art, drawing and photography.

“I guess for me it doesn’t make much sense to have interest in things if you’re not doing it,” she said.

She enjoys teaching the belly dancing class through the recreation department in Baldwin City as well.

When Hipple was growing up, she wanted to be an astronaut and wanted to be a writer. She said being a woman astronaut was frowned upon when she was younger, but today she takes pleasure in writing.

“My mother wanted me to be a concert pianist,” Hipple said. “It’s taken me a while to achieve what I wanted to be, but I’m doing it. It’s never too late. Do what you love.”

Although, working at the Kwik does take up much of her time, working four nights each week, she wouldn’t trade her weekends.

“They’re the funnest nights of the week,” she said.

Hipple thoroughly enjoys the college students.

“We don’t always care for people our own age because they seem old,” Hipple said.

She said she likes to think young and likes the intellectual exchange.

“I think she’s different because I think a lot of people kind of judge us as typical students that party a lot,” Lara said. “She’s not one to judge right away. She gets to know us all individually.”

Hipple also feels like she’s a good shoulder if anyone needs it.

“I consider her a really good friend because she’s always there,” Weisel said. “She just stands out. I don’t talk to any other employees like I talk to her. She always has fun things to tell. She’s always in a good mood and making us happy.”