“You talk, I listen” is Ken Quigley’s motto.

Quigley, who has been an independent campus minister since fall 1998, sits in the Holmes Student Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and listens to students who want to talk.

“I just sat here and I did not know what could happen and waited for the Lord to guide me,” Quigley said.

One day at a time, he got more involved, he said. When Quigley first started, it was only part time. Now, he is there Monday through Friday, sometimes until 5 p.m.

Quigley said he provides a place for students to come away from stress, relax and talk about anything they have in their hearts without being preached at or judged.

“You can make yourself at home,” Quigley said. “Here you can talk about your troubles, your joys and we debate theology or just pass time.”

Quigley is an NIU alum who graduated in 1971 with bachelor’s degrees in history and political science, but he never used his degrees, he said.

He said he talks to about 10 to 12 students each day, mostly about concerns they have.

Junior pre-sociology major Joseph Gulino said he enjoys hanging out with Quigley.

“He introduced himself to me when I was a freshman, and since then we talk every time I have time between my classes,” Gulino said. “Most of the time, we discuss what is going on at NIU, but I don’t talk about my personal problems.”

Brooke Robinson, a political science graduate student, said Quigley is a compassionate and dedicated man.

“He said ‘Hi’ to me, and ever since, I have been talking to him,” Robinson said. “I like to talk to him about what is going on on campus.”

After Quigley talks to students, he sometimes gives them an informal evaluation form. Quigley said he has feedback from hundreds of students he has listened to.

“I heard that a lot of kids like it,” he said, “but last year a student did not like it.”

Ester Anderson of DeKalb took the time to write on her evaluation an acronym of Ken’s name: Kind, Encouraging and Nurturing.

Although Quigley still has a small business he has had since graduating from NIU selling calendars and other specialties to businesses, his “job” at the HSC is what he really enjoys.

“For me, it is a joy,” Quigley said. “Just to say ‘Hi, how are you?’”

To see all the smiles is what he likes the most about his job – it is a soul fulfillment, he said.