The bustling dining halls at Colgate University are more than just places to grab food; they are vibrant social hubs where students connect over a shared meal or snack. Behind the scenes of these lively environments, there is a dedicated group of individuals whose hard work often goes under-appreciated: the dining hall staff. Without these individuals, our campus’ dining experience would not be the same.
Dining hall staff have a demanding work schedule. Frank Dining Hall is open from 6:30 a.m. to midnight during the week, with 30-minute breaks throughout the day, and the O’Connor Campus Center (Coop) is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday. In order to make sure these hours run smoothly, it means that staff work from early morning shifts preparing breakfast to late-night clean-up after dinner.
Jeremy Bouffiox, a worker at Frank Dining Hall who is beloved by students for remembering countless students’ omelet orders, shared how he came to Colgate and why he enjoys being a part of this community.
“I’m from Belgium and came to the U.S. for work. I have worked at Frank for three years, and I like working for you guys. It’s nice to talk to the students here, and I love making eggs for everybody,” Bouffiox shared.
Their job responsibilities extend beyond cooking and serving food. It also involves maintaining cleanliness, managing inventory and creating a welcoming atmosphere for students. Dining hall staff are often the first faces students see when entering dining facilities. Their cheerful exchanges with students create an inviting environment that encourages student interaction and engagement with staff and one another throughout the year.
Debbie Allen, who works at Frank, expressed how she appreciates the diverse student body and the culture at Colgate of having meals together.
“I love working here because I’m around smart, young people,” Allen said. “Everyone is interesting and from all over the world. Students break bread together which is really nice, since when you eat together, you share together, and I like that.”
Kelsey Coe, a newer staff member at Frank Dining Hall, gave some insight into her experience working here.
“It’s been a really great experience. I have gotten to learn and grow in this field. I just graduated college not even a year ago, and after working the grill for seven months, I’ll be working at Pure Eats within the next couple of weeks. I have had such great support from my sous chef and everyone. It’s been amazing,” Coe shared.
As we enjoy the meals served in Colgate’s dining halls, it is crucial to remember the hard work that goes into every dish. Dining hall workers are more than just employees; they are integral members of the Colgate community. These workers deserve more recognition and appreciation for their hard work, commitment and the sense of community they help build.
So, the next time you go into a dining hall on campus, take a moment to talk to some of the staff members and get to know them. Their contributions extend far beyond the kitchen, shaping a vital part of campus life.
