| VIDEO |
 * University Residences completes master plan with dedication of newest dining court (2 minutes, 56 seconds) |
| RELATED INFO |
| * Purdue University Residences |
October 2, 2008
Purdue University dedicates new dining court
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - |
The outdoor ceremony was followed by inside tours and samples of the international cuisine.
Located immediately south of Wiley Hall, the 500-seat freestanding dining court completes University Residences' consolidation of 11 cafeteria-style dining rooms to five architecturally distinct dining courts.
The new brick, lodgelike dining court is marked by large windows; vaulted wood ceilings; and stylish use of glass, steel and tile. A ring of internationally themed serving stations provides a broad menu of popular dishes, including made-to-order pizzas, pastas and sandwiches, and the court's signature offering, the Brazilian barbeque Churrascaria.
"We listened carefully to students when designing these new dining courts," said John A. Sautter, vice president for Housing and Food Services. "They expect dining to be an experience that includes fresh-made items with several choices available. This dining court meets those expectations."
Chef Nelly Farmer said the court's 13 daily protein offerings have been popular, especially with men.
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"A lot of guys are coming here everyday just for the meat, especially if it's wrapped in bacon," said Matthew Nettleman, a sophomore from Lafayette, Ind. "For me, you just can't beat the thick, juicy, handmade sirloin burgers. And I'll get out of bed early to get their smoothies for breakfast."
Dining court manager Kari Glebe said she and other members of her staff carefully examined operations at similar trendy restaurants in Chicago and Indianapolis.
"College students want good food, good value and they want to be entertained," Glebe said. "Our front-of-the-house food preparation and made-to-order menu items accomplish all of this. Other universities are visiting us to bring this model back to their campuses."
One portion of the dining area offers booth seating and several large-screen televisions. Elsewhere, students can sit diner-style on stools overlooking breakfast and dessert preparations.
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University Residences surveyed students extensively when designing the 46,450-square-foot facility located at the center of campus directly across from the Recreational Sports Center. Director of dining services Sarah Johnson said the new facility will be a "destination dining" location that will draw diners from on and off campus.
"Students have a lot of choices about where to eat," Johnson said. "But this court is close and convenient and a variety of student favorites are served here. It fits their lifestyles."
Johnson said the dining court's array of menu items, from Brazilian to traditional American, comes in response to a student body that is increasingly diverse and has high expectations.
"I've eaten college food at all of the potential colleges I visited, and Purdue's is the best by far," said Kristen Renaud, a freshman from Clifton Park, N.Y.
Barbara Frazee, University Residences executive director, said the ongoing strategic $200 million investment in new and renovated housing and dining fulfills the organization's mission of providing a safe, comfortable, attractive and vibrant living environment for students.
"Facilities like this help Purdue attract and retain top students from around the world," Frazee said. "That helps the university meet multiple parts of its mission."
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Purdue University Residences is entirely self-supporting and receives no tax or tuition dollars. It serves more than 16,000 meals per day and houses nearly 12,000 students, making it the largest on-campus housing program in the nation where no students are required to live on campus. An increasing number of Purdue staff, faculty, off-campus students and visitors are choosing to dine at University Residences' facilities.
"We serve members from throughout the entire community every day," Frazee said. "We like that, but we like it even better when they enjoyed themselves enough to come again."
Writer: Jim Schenke, (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu
Sources: John Sautter, (765) 494-1000, jasautter@purdue.edu
Barbara Frazee, (765) 494-1000, bjfrazee@purdue.edu
Sarah Johnson, (765) 494-1000, scj@purdue.edu
Kari Glebe, (765) 496-7901, klglebe@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Video and photos of the dining court are available by contacting Jim Schenke, Purdue News Service, at (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu
PHOTO CAPTION:
Visitors select from a variety of food samples at Thursday's (Oct. 2) dedication of Purdue's newest dining court. The 500-seat freestanding facility completes a 10-year master plan to consolidate 11 dining rooms into five distinct, modern dining courts. (Purdue News Service photo/Andrew Hancock)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2008/dining-court-blur.jpg
PHOTO CAPTION:
Kari Glebe, from left, dining court manager; Sarah Johnson, director of dining services; Morgan Olsen, executive vice president and treasurer; President France A. Córdova; John Sautter, vice president of Housing and Food Services; Barb Frazee, director of University Residences; and Connie Kaspar-Brophy, Wiley Hall general manager, cut the ribbon at the dedication of Purdue's newest dining court on Thursday (Oct. 2). The 500-seat freestanding facility completes a 10-year master plan to consolidate 11 dining rooms into five distinct, modern dining courts. (Purdue News Service photo/Andrew Hancock)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2008/dining-court-ribbon.jpg
PHOTO CAPTION:
John Sautter, vice president of Housing and Food Services, speaks at Thursday's dedication of Purdue's newest dining court. (Purdue News Service photo/Andrew Hancock)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2008/dining-court-speak.jpg
PHOTO CAPTION:
Purdue's newest dining court is a freestanding facility located at the center of campus just south of Wiley Hall and across from the Recreational Sports Center. (Purdue News Service photo/Andrew Hancock)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2008/wiley-ext.jpg
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