Berry Berry Happy

Scott O'Rouke has taken over this year from John Bragle as Dining Services manager. This personnel change has ushered in a new era in the Wheaton College dinging experience.  My dining experience has become a much more positive one and I believe it has a lot to do with this management change over. The first week of school this year I overheard someone talking to Scott.  They had a complaint: more strawberries in Chase.  The student was explaining at great length the various nutritional benefits of strawberries.  I remember rolling my eyes at overhearing this.  I thought this request was ridiculous.  In my three previous years, I have never seen a fresh strawberry in the dining halls; they are simply too expensive... I thought.

I'm not sure when it was that I first saw them, but ladies and gentlemen, strawberries are now being served in Chase. Fresh, ripe strawberries are being served in Chase dining at Wheaton College. Not long after the first strawberry sightings I tried making a suggestion as well.  I told Scott how much I missed the homefries made with real potatoes.  Recently they have been serving tater-tots or prepackaged frozen potato bites.  The very next morning the real potatoes were there waiting! Now, mind you, I've never asked the dining hall for anything.  I've never voiced any complaints. Never written any emails. Never filled out even a survey.  So far I have been passive in my unhappiness. I never even tried to be heard, I just assumed that I wouldn't be heard.

Scott has only been working with students on campus a few months and I think so far he has been able to change the discourse around Wheaton dining.  So far we've had Lobster Night, Italian catering, fresh strawberries, and many other fun new foodie things.  I'm happy that I've been able to witness this change in command, even if only for a year.  I'm excited to see what's to come.  Ask and you shall receive, Wheaton.