Commons employee shares story of his arrival at Drew

He worked 25 years at the U.S. Embassy and would've retired in just 5 more if he stayed in Bangladesh. Instead, Hatef Quazi, 70, gave up his career as an administrative advisor and came to America. Now he is the familiar face who swipes students' cards at the front of the Commons and one of the most beloved figures on the Drew campus.

While his daughter Sianat, 46, was in her first year in college, the political status of Bangladesh became unstable and there were many disturbances in many universities.

"There were a lot of gun shootings," Quazi said. "One day [my daughter] came home shivering. [She said] one student was just shot 10 feet away from me. 'I'm not going to college anymore' she said." Unable to afford to send his daughter to universities in places like Nepal or New Dehli, Quazi took his family to the United States in 1985. Because he worked for the U.S. Embassy, he was obtained a green card very quickly.

When he first arrived, Quazi had trouble getting a job. "They either told me I was overqualified or that I had no American experience," Quazi said. "All my experience was no good." While looking for a place to work, his brother told him to come to Drew University. Quazi's brother was a graduate student at the time and rented a room in Asbury Hall. For $70 a week, Quazi and his family lived in Asbury for two weeks. While staying there, his wife, Fazila, got a job working in the Commons.

Since Fazila did not drive, Quazi would wait in the bottom of the Commons for his wife to take her home. After two years of his wife working, Quazi was offered a part-time evening job in 1987.

Meanwhile, Quazi landed a position at Crum & Forster Insurance Co. He was an accountant there for 11 months. "I didn't like accounting," Quazi said. After that, he worked with the state government's Board of Social Services. He retired from that position in September 1994.

Quazi's daughter, Sianat received two master's degrees from the University of Massachusetts in Public Health and Urban Planning. She is now ranked leutenant. colonel in the United States military. His son, Javed, 38, received his master's degree from William Paterson University. He currently works at J.P. Morgan in New York.

In his retirement, Quazi still works at Drew. "The only reason I work is because I love Drew," Quazi said. "Even when I'm in a bad mood, Drew students bring a smile to my face."

Most students at Drew would return the same sentiment. "It's just nice to see a warm face when you enter the Commons," Jack Breslin ('11) said. "[Quazi] brightens up your day," Matthew Ogonowski ('10) said.

Echoing the feelings of Breslin and Ogonowski, John McHale ('11) said, "He's like that guy that everyone loves. There's just something about him."

Looking back on the move from Bangladesh to America, Quazi makes it clear that he does not regret a thing. "I was sad when I left," Quazi said. "When I look at the success of my children, I'm not sorry anymore."