On Nov. 8, President Jane Wood announced Sodexo as the lead corporate sponsor of the new Nutrition and Dietetics Lab in the Austin E. Knowlton Science Center to a crowd of faculty, staff and students. Sodexo’s contribution of $650,000 is the largest corporate campaign commitment in the university’s history.
Dietetics students unveil plans for the new Nutrition and Dietetics Lab. Photo by Hannah Conklin
Sodexo’s sponsorship will help to provide space, resources and technology for Bluffton’s nationally-accredited dietetics program through the state-of-the-art Nutrition and Dietetics Lab. Bluffton is one of two private colleges in Ohio to offer a nationally-accredited dietetics program.
“Sodexo’s commitment to the Knowlton Science Center building project is the largest corporate contribution in Bluffton’s history,” said Wood. “I am deeply grateful for Sodexo’s willingness to invest in this high priority project and in the nutrition and dietetics education of Bluffton students for many years to come.”
The Nutrition and Dietetics Lab is designed to have 12 student prep/cooking stations, an instructor demonstration station, areas for food and equipment storage and audio and visual technology for streaming capabilities.
For over 14 years, Sodexo has provided dining services in Marbeck Center.
Addressing those gathered for the campaign announcement, Senior Vice President for Sodexo Amy Buratti said, “It is important to us to give back to the communities where we live and serve.”
A large crowd of faculty, staff and students gathered for the campaign announcement. Photo by Hannah Conklin
First announced in 2016, the project budget for the Knowlton Science Center is $14.5 million overall, including costs for construction, site development and other fees. Over $13.9 million out of $14.5 million total goal has so far been confirmed.
Projected to open for the 2020-21 academic year, the Knowlton Science Center will house academic programs in the natural and health sciences, including biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, dietetics, nursing and speech-language pathology and audiology in addition to providing space to for the general education program.
In 32,500 square feet, the building will feature three classrooms seating between 24 and 60 students, 10 energy-efficient labs, 15 faculty offices, a green roof patio, and various spaces for study and research. Site development around the building will also create a pedestrian-only central campus.
Senior nutrition and dietetics major Madeleine Elwell said the new space will be beneficial to dietetics education and strengthen the programs and demonstrations open to the public.
“We’re really excited for more space for our food labs that will benefit students in all years of the program,” said Elwell.
