Campus Kitchen at UMASS Boston

Thank You’s

I’m feeling particularly appreciative today for all of the wonderful people who have helped get The Campus Kitchen at UMass Boston off the ground, so I’d like to share with you some of who they are and why we love ‘em.

Diane D’Arrigo, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Campus Services, has been instrumental in getting the right people in the right places to bring UMass Boston a Campus Kitchen. She’s perky, knows everyone, and is fun to be around (just don’t ever call her short, in fact, don’t even tell her I mentioned that word in her section here). She hired my next UMB colleague:

Mr. Sherrod Williams! He was featured here:

http://campuskitchens.org/schools/umb/2010/02/12/fridays-food-drives-and-l-o-v-e/

Sherrod is the Director of Student Leadership and Community Engagement. He does the work of five people efficiently, he is in a doctorate program here, and he volunteers in his spare time. Sherrod is a reminder that we can all be better human beings if we push ourselves (and stop being lazy). I need him in my life to keep telling me this. Actually, because he’s so kind, he’d never say it out loud, but his presence is enough of a nudge to get me going.

David Levine, General Manager of Sodexho here on campus, was one of the initial folks who wanted to bring a Campus Kitchen to UMB. Not only is he letting us in his kitchen space, but we’re able to share equipment, and recover unserved food from Sodexho. Without David, we’d be cookin’ in  my kitchen on Vernon Street with hand mixers.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my Leadership Team. This dedicated group of students is a joy to be with and makes my day-to-day work seem a lot less like work. They show up at my office unexpected with Diet Coke in hand ready to fill me in on their days, their school work, and what they want to do with CKUMB. Without them, we wouldn’t be successful or growing. So, thanks LT members! I love ya!

And now a brief glimpse into what it’s like to be a grocery bag:

That is all. You may continue having a lovely hump day.