IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2009

CONTACT: K.E. Schwab
724.738.2199

karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU’s renovated Boozel Dining Hall wins design award     

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University’s $7.5 million renovation to Boozel Dining Hall, the primary, on-campus student dining facility, has been a culinary success with students since its January opening and has now captured the American School and University Magazine’s Educational Interiors Showcase Outstanding Design Award in the cafeteria/food service areas category. 

            “We are extremely please to have STV Corp., the building’s interior and exterior architectural designers win this honor,” said Debra Pincek, who oversees food service operations as assistant to the vice president for student life administration. “We called on STV to provide our long-range master food service plan, and they won the architectural design contract for phase one – renovation of Boozel. Students, faculty, staff and visitors have been very pleased with the results, and this award is testimony to the dining hall’s success.” Pincek was among those leading the SRU renovation project.

            The application for the magazine’s award was submitted by STV, based in Douglassville. American School & University, based in Overland Park, Kan., has been the information source for education facilities and business professionals since 1928. 

           The 36,500-square-foot dining hall, originally opened in 1971, was closed six months for the massive renovations which included installation of eight food platforms with open kitchens and floor space redesign. The facility, located near the middle of campus, serves as the primary dining center for SRU residence hall students living in the new $140-million suite-style residence halls.

           As part of STV’s design, a 3,000-square-foot glass atrium entrance was added that includes lounge seating, a grab-n-go meal replacement concept and queing areas. Boozel also offers a variety of seating styles, including booths and communal tables; diner-style countertop seating with electric outlets for laptop computes; wireless computer access; LCD screens to identify service lines, food items, nutrition information and event announcements as well as stations for made-to-order entrees. A live-fire Brazilian Churrasco food station is one of the first on a college campus and has been a solid hit with students.

             STV’s redesign made use of bright colors, including red and copper, reflecting an increased interest in ethnic food and trends toward healthy eating as well as the technology interests of students.

            “This is really about the transformation of on-campus dining. Dining is now a social event – that allows the incorporation of technology,” Pincek said. The new facility has seating for more than 800.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.