Tulsa University Dining Excels in High-Volume, Multi-Event Week

Graduation week at The University of Tulsa is always a grand affair, but this year, it coincided with Mayfest, one of Tulsa's biggest arts festivals. This double celebration, running from May 6th through May 12th, 2024, brought excitement and energy to both the university campus and downtown Tulsa. With a myriad of events and an impressive team effort, TU Sodexo's 1894 Events & Catering and Concessions teams rose to the occasion, serving thousands and creating unforgettable experiences.

1894 Events & Catering: A Week of Celebrations

The 1894 Events & Catering team showcased their remarkable capabilities by handling 78 events spread across downtown Tulsa and the university campus. From graduation celebrations to Mayfest parties and VIP bars, the team served an impressive guest count of 6,938 throughout the week. Highlights included:

• Grad fest celebrations and parties for graduates and their families.
• VIP bars and exclusive events for distinguished guests at Mayfest.

Denisha Garner, Assistant Director of Special Events and Operations, and James Hollanger, Director of Stewardship Activities at The University of Tulsa, praised the team’s efforts: “I mean this weekend has had a ton of curveballs and the Sodexo team has consistently been able to pivot and roll with the punches. They’ve been helping me to make this experience fun and carefree for all of our guests and you can feel their sense of care and an incredible amount of teamwork in everything they do. They’ve each found me so many answers and solutions on a dime and always with a smile. I really appreciate them bearing with us as we figured this whole thing out and for making sure everyone has had a 5-star experience."

Concessions Team: Managing Campus Celebrations

The Concessions team efficiently managed 12 events at the Reynolds Center, hosting graduation ceremonies for The University of Tulsa as well as several other institutions like TCC, OU-Tulsa, and Epic Charter Schools. With a guest count of 3,128 served on campus, excluding the food truck team at Mayfest, the Concessions team demonstrated exceptional coordination and dedication.

Mayfest Involvement: A New Milestone

This year marked 1894 Dining Service's first major involvement in Mayfest. With over 150 employees downtown and more than 70 on campus, the team ensured seamless service despite limited initial information. Their tasks ranged from flipping rooms and serving food and drinks to restocking beverage carts and providing hospitality to thousands of festival-goers. The partnership with Tulsa Public School Sodexo in the Mayfest Kid Zone was a notable success, blending family fun with educational insights on nutrition and providing over 528 lbs of food for the community.

Denisha Garner and James Hollanger continued their praise: "The food was delicious and always plentiful and fresh. The drinks stayed flowing. The fridge stayed stocked. And I saw everyone on the team going the extra mile to help make sure of that. That’s something I have come to expect from Sodexo but I know it’s not a given with every vendor. Sodexo always treats our events like their own and I really do appreciate that.”

Overcoming Challenges: A Team Effort

The week demanded late nights and early mornings, with some team members working until 2 a.m. and returning by 8 a.m. Their relentless efforts ensured festival-goers stayed hydrated and well-fed, with thousands of beverages and hundreds of champagne bottles served. The dedication and teamwork did not go unnoticed.

Golden Hurricane Bash: A Unique End-of-Year Event

On May 1st, 2024, the Golden Hurricane Bash provided students with a memorable upscale dining experience during finals week. The late-night breakfast event transformed the student union with gold balloons, vibrant lights, and a DJ. Each dining location offered distinctive breakfast items, including:

• Chick-fil-A: Yogurt parfaits and fruit cups
• Sushi Blu: Traditional sushi roll samples
• Einstein Bagels: Coffee, various bagels, and schmears
• Sol Tex Mex: Breakfast tacos and Jarritos
• Category 5: Traditional breakfast buffet with eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and biscuits with gravy
• Faculty Club (transformed): Coffee and beverage shop atmosphere with flavored coffees, zero-proof mocktails, and a donut wall

Activities included 30-minute yoga sessions and DIY book bag stations, allowing students to relax and express creativity. University staff also participated, engaging with students and contributing to the event's success.

Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it the best late-night breakfast event yet. Matt J Ingram, Interim Dean of Students, praised the event's innovation and the excellent partnership with Sodexo: “I wanted to send you a note and congratulate you and your team on a great event with the Late-Night Breakfast. It was innovative, and engaging, and our students genuinely had a great time. The faculty and staff that supported really appreciated the opportunity to contribute as well. Appreciate the great partnership!”

The University of Tulsa’s graduation week and Mayfest were a testament to the dedication, teamwork, and excellence of TU Sodexo’s 1894 Events & Catering and Concessions teams. Their ability to handle multiple high-profile events, serve thousands of guests, and create memorable experiences showcases their commitment to excellence and community engagement. Ending the year with a bang, they have set a high standard for future events.