by Michelle Thornton
Features Editor
Davenport Dining Hall had its grand re-opening Monday, Nov. 2 serving lunch to the University community. It was the first meal in the dining hall in over a month.
All students and faculty were invited to enjoy the sounds of the Reed Gratz Band and to eat a meal of shrimp, steak and cheese pizza that was served to celebrate the re-opening of Davenport.
Veronica Garcia, a freshman Spanish/criminology major who took advantage of the re-opening’s festivities said, “It’s probably the best food we’re going to get here all year.”
The dining hall has been closed since Oct. 2 after a small fire broke out in an office in the rear of the building.
Linda Gaeta, a freshman international business major, said, “It should be like this all the time. Not the music or anything, but just everything. It’s always so drabby here.”
Students did not have to use their meal cards because administrative offices of the University picked up the tab.
All on-campus residents, whether present or not, were entered in the raffle that gave away a leopard print director’s chair, a $50 gift certificate to Miller’s Outpost, a CD boom box, gift certificates to Warehouse Pizza and T-shirts from the First Generation Student Success Program.
Candy bars wrapped with coupons redeemable for University of La Verne embellished lanyards were also issued at the door and can be picked up Dec. 8 at the Student Resource Center.
Dr. Rahmani read a statement for President Stephen Morgan, who was unable to attend. It said, “A situation like this creates challenges for faculty, students and staff. Thank you for your support.”
Since the fire, residents had been eating their meals in a makeshift dining hall in the Student Center. Food during that time was cooked by Aramark Food Services at the Claremont Colleges and driven by Davenport workers to ULV.
Dr. Loretta Rahmani, dean of student affairs, gave thanks to students for their understanding and patience on the situation in the Spot.
She said, “You have truly showed your ‘Leo Spirit.’ Without your patience and cooperation this would not have been going so smoothly.”
Unlike many, some students liked Davenport in the Spot.
“It is less convenient now. When it was over here in the Spot, it was more convenient for those of us who had class and work and don’t have time to sit and have a full meal,” said Tonisha Kincade, junior criminology major.
“Now I have to continue eating the greasy food in the Spot,” she said.
Davenport has resumed its normal operating hours.
