Ouachita and Sodexo commemorate fifty-year partnership

On November 7, Sodexo hosted a celebration of its half century partnership with Ouachita Baptist University as campus dining services provider.

“The golden anniversary was an opportunity to express our gratitude to key leaders within Ouachita for the many years of successful service provided to our campus community and guests,” said Sodexo General Manager Jon Fitzgerald.

Forty guests attended the event at the Walker Conference Center, including Dr. Ben Sells, President Ouachita Baptist University, Deans, leadership from Ouachita, and Senior Vice President Ronald Guillory of Sodexo, Universities.

“Ouachita’s relationship with Sodexo is a valued partnership that has endured and thrived for fifty years,” said Ben Sells, President of Ouachita Baptist University. “The celebration dinner was an exquisite meal that exceeded all expectations and a wonderful time in the middle of a busy semester for our leadership team. Many thanks to our friends at Sodexo for such a special evening.”

Certified Executive Chef Chase Nowlin created an elegant seven-course menu for which he put a “spin on traditional southern cuisine by adding elegance and charm.”

Throughout the evening, Chef Nowlin introduced each course which featured cheese grits arancini with creole hollandaise sauce; seared blackened mahi-mahi over a bed of dirty rice with low country chimichurri sauce; braised short rib with fondant potato and roasted patty pan squash, and a trio of southern desserts: banana pudding crème brule, hummingbird cake, and apple pecan crisp.

“Sodexo has been a trusted and valued partner alongside Ouachita for generations now, consistently meeting the needs of our students, faculty and staff, and campus guests in exceptional ways,” said Keldon Henley, Ed.D., Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Chief of Staff.

During the event, Coleman Callan, Sodexo marketing intern and sophomore Ouachita communications and media major was awarded a $12k meal plan scholarship from Sodexo. He was recognized for his contributions made this semester with marketing, operations, and campus community.

Dinner service was provided by the women of the Ouachita softball team. Sodexo provides a donation to the Ouachita softball team each time they support an event.

Partnering with Sodexo I don’t have to worry about quality, execution, promptness – anything,” said Jon Merryman, B.A. '00 - Director of Alumni Relations & The Ouachita Student Foundation. “Thankful for these friends and partners and look forward to many more years of great events to come.”

Sodexo will host an all-campus golden anniversary celebration for students, faculty, and staff in the spring.

On campus, Sodexo currently operates The Ouachita Commons, and Evans Food Court which includes Chick-fil-A, Sandella’s Flatbread Café, Tiger Grill, and Dr. Jack’s Coffeehouse on the Ouachita Baptist University campus.

Founded in 1886 with 235 students, Ouachita had a total of three graduates in its first commencement service in 1888. Since that time, Ouachita has grown into a leading liberal arts university with more than 1,500 students from 30 states and 30 nations.