Since Tina Power’s departure to Disney World in May, Sodexo-run facilities on campus, such as the dining hall, Big Al’s, and Sandella’s have undergone various changes. Kathie Guyler, the new general manager, has been working in the college dining business for thirty-three years, with Houghton College being the sixth college she has worked at. Guyler said, “Honestly why I do what I do” is because “I really enjoy working with students.” Benjamin Hardy, a Houghton College ‘14 alumni and supervisor of student workers, said, “She has brought a few new perspectives on things, mostly on food safety”
The dining hall now has a self-service omelet bar where students can control ingredients being put into their eggs, portion size of ingredients, and how they want their eggs cooked. In addition, Sodexo has brought back the stir fry station. The revival of the station is already a “big hit” among students because of their increased participation in the creation of their meals. Guyler said, “Feedback they got [from surveys] was that students prefer to make it themselves.”
Big Al’s and Sandella’s also now have new hours. Big Al’s is only open at night for dinner while Sandella’s is open during lunchtime. Smoothies, however, can be purchased at any time.
Big Al’s has its first event on September 14, “Wings with the Dean.” During this event students will have the opportunity to watch the Monday night NFL opening game for the Philadelphia Eagles with Dean Jordan. Wings will be sold for only twenty-five cents. Near the end of the September, the dining hall will have a fall event, “Apple Week.” This will use apples from a local vendor will food items such as apple pancakes, apple cakes, and caramel apples. Students will have the opportunity to bob for apples and make their own candy apples. As done in the past, there will be Wing Night every Friday at Big Al’s and events such as Barbeque Blues and Bodacious Burgers. There will also be a raffle for the Superbowl which will feature prizes donated by Pepsi such as a Mini Jambox, small wifi speaker, and an iFit.
James Ward, operations manager who oversees all retail operations in Java, Big Al’s, Sandella’s, and all catering events, said this year that they are focused on “enhancing their current program.” This year, Sodexo offered four marketing internships where students gain experience in sustainability, marketing, and wellness. “They help get messages out to students and connect with students on a more personal level,” said Ward. “I encourage students to start a conversation with me in the dining hall.”
Guyler encourages students to fill out comment cards and to send her emails. Her goal to get more feedback from students is to have open dinners where everyone is invited to come, have dinner in the dining hall, and ask questions about the health, safety, and choice of food being served. Sodexo also issues a survey every year where students can voice their opinions and have the chance to win something through the giveaways.
Hardy said, “I enjoy working with the students, training the students, and providing quality food service for the students” and as a past student of Houghton College, he “tries to do for the students what he would’ve wanted done as a student.” In the past, student supervisors have recruited students from the previous year so that they would have plenty of workers in the fall. However, some workers graduated, moved, and got promoted so there are several spaces open for students interested in a job. The success of Sodexo depends on the student body so as it decreases or increases, so does their revenue.