Liberty University and Sodexo Host Employee Appreciation Carnival

Liberty University and Sodexo, in a joint effort led by Resident Dining and Retail General Managers, hosted an employee appreciation party of fun, games, and gratitude. This event took place in the lower level of the university's brand-new dining center, offering a unique and colorful celebration for the hardworking staff.

Dining leadership has gone the extra mile to ensure every employee had an extended one and a half hour break to attend the carnival. To make transportation convenient, the school's transit system provided services, ensuring that employees from various locations could join the festivities hassle-free.

The carnival-themed party featured a variety of games, including Plinko, skee-ball, four corners, alien toss, a spin-the-wheel, and an inflatable carnival game package. Employees could win tickets at each game, which can then be exchanged for exclusive employee coupons.

Among the exciting coupons up for grabs were Jeans Day, Hat Pass, Leave 30 Minutes Early, Free 15 Minute Late Pass, 1 Hour Lunch Break, Free Retail Meal + Extra 30 Minutes for Lunch, and Free Dining Center Meal + Extra 30 Minutes for Lunch.

A highlight of the celebration was the distribution of over $2,000 worth of prizes to deserving employees. The generosity of the team was evident as they gave away a variety of exciting items, including 7 Roku TVs, 7 Bluetooth speakers, 7 Magic Bullet Blenders, 7 electric griddles, 14 Liberty University (LU) hats, 20 LU T-shirts, and 7 LU hoodies.

Special guests at the event included the President of the University, Dr. Dondi Costin, Chancellor Pastor Jonathan Falwell, and client Louis Cambeletta, who addressed employees and expressed their heartfelt thanks.

Todd Reynolds, the GM of Retail Dining, shared his insights on the significance of employee recognition. "It's important to let our staff know how much we appreciate all of their hard work and dedication throughout the year and that it doesn't go unnoticed," said Reynolds. "It also gives us a chance to connect with all of our employees on campus to create a sense of unity. It also gives our employees a chance to have some fun while they are at work."

Reynolds expressed his satisfaction with the Employee Appreciation Carnival, highlighting the engagement between the staff and Liberty University. "I liked the engagement between all of our staff and the Liberty staff," he shared. "I think the comments by President Costin, Pastor Falwell, and Louis Cambeletta were inspiring to our staff and made them feel closely tied to the campus community as a whole."

When asked about his hopes for what employees took away from the event, Reynolds emphasized, "I hope our employees took away how much we appreciate all of their efforts and commitment on a daily basis to providing exceptional service to the students and staff on this campus."

The Employee Appreciation Carnival not only provided a platform for recognition but also created lasting memories, reinforcing the sense of community and appreciation among Liberty University and Sodexo staff.

Abraham Zahabi, General Manager of Residential Operations, recognizes the importance of celebrating the team's efforts. "Our team is the heart of our business, and employee recognition is our way of acknowledging their hard work, creating a connection, and differentiating ourselves as an employer of choice in the community," says Zahabi.

Reflecting on the recent Employee Appreciation Day celebration, Zahabi notes, "It allows us to give back, share positive experiences, and reinforce our unity as a team."

Expressing hopes for employee takeaways, Zahabi emphasizes, "We aim to show our gratitude and uplift their spirits, making them feel valued for their dedication to serving the Liberty University community."