New Dining Facility Named for Kate and John R. Broderick

June 10, 2016

Rendering of the Kate and John R. Broderick Dining Commons

The Old Dominion Board of Visitors voted unanimously during its regular meeting June 9 to name the University's new stand-alone dining facility the Kate and John R. Broderick Dining Commons.

The state-of-the-art facility is currently under construction on 49th Street. The 39,000 square foot, two-story dining commons, which will have the capacity to seat 550 patrons inside and an additional 225 outside, is slated for a fall opening.

Student leaders representing many areas of campus life including the Student Government Association, NAACP and athletics met with Rector Ron Ripley to express their appreciation for the student success and inclusion initiatives spearheaded by the President and First Lady, said Ellen Neufeldt, vice president for student engagement and enrollment services.

"It was noted that the Brodericks go above and beyond for students each and every day," Neufeldt said. "The students wanted to do something significant for the Brodericks and felt that naming a building in their honor was a special way to say thank you."

When completed, the dining commons will provide a restaurant-style environment featuring a diverse array of options "while creating a strong sense of community for its students, faculty and staff," the board's resolution stated.

The first floor of the building will contain the main student dining area which will feature eight distinct restaurant-style dining options. They include: Bud's American Classics, Maize South American Kitchen, Evoo Italian Cuisine, Rice Sticks Asian Kitchen, Uno Mas Fresh Mexican Flavors, Mosaic International and 350 Degrees Baked Goods as well as a coffee and fresh baked goods retail counter. Customer-facing food preparation areas will include window views into the Noodle Room and the Butcher Room.

In addition to those features, the dining commons is being constructed with sustainability in mind. It will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certified and will meet specified standards relating to efficiencies in building materials, energy consumption, water conservation and overall environmental impact.

For more information on campus meal options, visit the Monarch Dining website.