NACUFS Goes for the Gold

FM Staff

In July, attendees at the 49th annual national Conference of the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) gathered in Seattle to network, attend training seminars and recognize the achievements of leading foodservice directors in the C/U segment.

As always, a highlight of the event was the NACUFS Showcase, where attendees were introduced to the latest new products targeted to their market. Pre-conference two-day workshops were geared to helping operators improve coffee and tea programs and cstore operations.

In formal events, David Annis, executive director of food service at the University of Oklahoma, was installed as the 2007-2008 president while Mark Kraner, director of contracted auxiliary services at Louisiana State University, was installed as president elect. Rich Neumann, director of dining services at Ohio University, is the new secretary/treasurer, and Blake Widdowson, associate director of dining services at University of Richmond, will serve as the ‘08 national conference chair and on the board of directors.

Among other highlights of the conference, Mona Milius was honored as the 2007 recipient of the Theodore W. Minah Distinguished Service Award, NACUFS' most prestigious honor. Milius, associate director of residence/dining services at the University of Northern Iowa, is a past NACUFS president and has long been a very active member of the NACUFS community at both the national and regional levels.

Rich Neumann and Jane GrantShambaugh received NACUFS Lichtenfelt Awards in recognition of their volunteer contributions to the organization and William May, former director of dining services at Wofford, was named a Distinguished NACUFS Lifetime member.

Competition seems to grow keener every year in NACUFS ACF-sanctioned Culinary Competition. This year's first place award went to Barry Greenberg, director/executive chef at the University of Iowa-Memorial Union for his entree, Asian Bento Box.