Every day at meal time, we walk into the busy, bustling Student-Faculty Center filled with students craving a good meal after class or practice. When the doors open, we rush to the food we want, whether it's the hot food, the panini press, the stir fry, or the countless other options offered to us. These meals support our community and daily lives, but behind each plate of food is a huge amount of effort put in by the staff members.
Behind the scenes, the Stu-Fac is powered by an incredibly dedicated and close-knit team. “We are a very cohesive group, many of us have been here for years,” said Shawna Penders, our food services general manager, who leads the Stu-Fac team. This dedication is shown through the team’s determination to make every student’s dining experience better. Each day, the StuFac team serves hundreds of students and staff. “On any given night, during dinner or lunch, [we] can go through pounds and pounds of chicken. [We would prepare] the salad, fruits, dessert, and everything for a few hundred students.” Shawna explained. “And then on top of [that] [the Stu-Fac staff] did try to really try their best. Even during snowstorms, people will stay overnight in hotels just to make sure meals are ready the next day.”The team’s thoughtfulness and care for each student’s dining experience contributed largely to the sense of belonging and joy in the Concord Academy community. “Our role is to please everybody,” Shawna said. “Even if we make just one student happy in a day, that’s good.” The team has always worked hard to create menus and recipes that students would truly enjoy. “We pay attention to what’s popular, what disappears fastest, and even what’s left behind on the plates,” she said. This year, the Stu Fac team started to serve special meals from different countries to spread cultural awareness through food and cultivate a feeling of home for international boarding students. “We try to do things that make students feel at home,” said Shawna. “Sometimes it’s just about serving a dish that reminds someone of their family or their culture”.
From early mornings to late nights, staff members, including the Stu-Fac team, keep our community running, often without much recognition. They do so much to create a warm environment for CA students, and a little appreciation will help complete that sense of community. “It goes a long way when a student just says, ‘Hey, that chicken was really good today,’” Shawna said with a smile. “My staff put their heart into this, and hearing that really means something.” Shawna also encourages students to share their opinions and feedback with the Stu Fac team so they can better understand what students like and dislike, and adjust the menu accordingly.
Let’s acknowledge members of the Stu-Fac team for their work and dedication: Renee, Sam, Jay, Juan, Ian, Deb, Kristin, Margarita, Joaquim, Jaime, Deb, Jon, Shawna, and Maria