Waynesburg University hosted a “Showcase of Growth: Enhanced Meal Experience” event Friday, August 29, in the Benedum Dining Hall. The event highlighted significant upgrades to the dining facility, developed in direct response to student feedback and designed to elevate the campus meal experience.
These enhancements reflect our commitment to engaging with students to find out what is important to them and, in turn, creating the dining experience they wanted.”
“Providing our students with the best possible experience has always been a top priority,” said Douglas G. Lee, Waynesburg University President. “These enhancements reflect our commitment to engaging with students to find out what is important to them and, in turn, creating the dining experience they wanted.”
The enhancements include new equipment and facility upgrades designed to expand dining capabilities and give students more variety in how their meals are prepared. With a focus on made-to-order options and fresh ingredients, the dining hall now provides an engaging experience tailored to student preferences.
“Today’s students are looking for bold flavors, dynamic choices and spaces that match their energy,” said Chef Kyle Nagy, Waynesburg Executive Campus Chef. “We believe campus dining is about much more than serving great food; it’s about connection, culture and fueling the student experience.”
Beyond the upgrades themselves, the dining hall offers an atmosphere that fully engages the senses. Students can interact directly with the cooks, watch their meals being prepared, and enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas of fresh food being made right in front of them, adding to the sense of community and connection at mealtime.
In addition to serving students, Benedum Dining Hall is open to the public, complementing the University’s other on-campus dining options, including Chick-fil-A, which opened in 2021 and is strategically located on the edge of campus nearest downtown, and Starbucks, located on the second floor of the Stover Campus Center.
Friday’s event built upon Waynesburg University’s broader Showcase of Growth initiative, which began in April with the unveiling of multiple new and renovated campus facilities.
The April event featured a ribbon cutting at the Center for Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation, complete with high-tech simulators and flexible classroom space, as well as the newly renovated Practical Exercise Facility with a mock courtroom, fingerprint lab and bloodstain interpretation room. Guests also toured the Pathways Center, offering comprehensive student support services, and visited Alston Farm, a 52-acre property recently donated to the University that will serve as a hub for instruction and community outreach.
Together, these investments, including earlier enhancements to athletic facilities, the creation of a state-of-the-art Esports Arena and a new innovation hub and makerspace, underscore the University’s commitment to providing students with the best possible experience.
About Waynesburg U.
Consistently ranked a best value school, Waynesburg University’s Strategy for the 21st Century affirms its commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and ethical leadership skills for all students. Rooted in its mission of faith, learning and service, the private, Christian university is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, with an additional site for graduate and professional programs in Southpointe.
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