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At lunch in St. Joseph Commons this afternoon, 91¿ì»îÁÖ Aquinas College bid farewell to Lucinda Anderson, who ” after managing food services at the College for 20 years ” is retiring this summer.

 

Mrs. Anderson is a general manager for , the Palo Alto-based restaurant company that has operated the College™s kitchen and dining services since 1996. œBy our account, Lucinda has overseen the preparation and serving of over 1.5 million meals,� said President Michael F. McLean. Students ” many of whom have worked student-scholarship jobs in Mrs. Anderson™s kitchen over the years ” laughed and cheered in appreciation.  œI would call that excelling at her corporal works of mercy.�

During Mrs. Anderson™s tenure, St. Joseph Commons has developed a reputation for meals that far exceed typical œcafeteria� fare. œI think I speak for all of us in saying that the food service here is excellent, and Lucinda deserves a great amount of credit for making it so,� said Dr. McLean. œLucinda is also responsible for overseeing 50 part-time student workers on an annual  basis, and she has been a wonderful mentor and example for them. Always cheerful, patient, and kind, she has taught them discipline, diligence, and respect for the importance of hard work ” great gifts that will stand all of you in great stead in whatever you choose to do.�

As a token of the College™s gratitude, Dr. McLean gave Mrs. Anderson and her husband, Dion, a framed photo of the campus and a gift card to a local restaurant, so that œLucinda won™t have to do the cooking!� He also reported, however, that the Andersons had requested no gifts whatsoever and that, instead, asked that the College make a donation to the Fr. Buckley Scholarship Fund in their name. In honor of that request, the College has made a $500 donation to the fund, which supports financial aid, and Bon Appétit has generously matched that contribution. œAs always,� Dr. McLean remarked, œLucinda and Dion put the College and its students first.�

As part of the festivities, the College™s barbershop quartet ” the B-Shop Boys,  directed by Giorgio Navarini (™17), who works for Mrs. Anderson in the kitchen ” serenaded her with the Irish blessing, œMay the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back.� The College™s Residential Assistant, Sarah Dufresne (™14), presented her with a book of personal notes of gratitude from the entire community; and Iris Connelly (™16) brought up a cake that she and some friends baked to mark the occasion.

After receiving a prolonged, standing ovation, Mrs. Anderson spoke briefly and with characteristic humility. œA leader cannot do her or his job without a great team behind her,� she said. œAnd I have had a fabulous team.� Among those she singled out for praise was Head Chef Jacob Coke, who will succeed Mrs. Anderson as Bon Appétit™s on-site general manager. œIf Jake™s cooking is any indication,� observed Dr. McLean, œwe know that food services is in excellent hands.�

Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016
  • Lucinda Retirement 2016