Food Services Employee Recognized for Attention to Students

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Published

February 21, 2019

Kyle Holen, a Sodexo employee, was recognized with the university's CORE Award for his personal attention to students. "Kyle is one of those people who you will never forget," said one nominator. "His impact on students is priceless."
Sodexo employee Kyle Holen visits with an ��߲ݴ�ý student in the Prairie Point Dining Center. "He will remember your omelet order even though he has only made it once and it was six months prior," said one student who nominated Holen for the university's CORE Award.

Kyle Holen, a Sodexo employee, was recognized with the university's CORE Award for his personal attention to students. "Kyle is one of those people who you will never forget," said one nominator. "His impact on students is priceless."
Sodexo employee Kyle Holen visits with an ��߲ݴ�ý student in the Prairie Point Dining Center. "He will remember your omelet order even though he has only made it once and it was six months prior," said one student who nominated Holen for the university's CORE Award.

Senior Kacie Tremain remembers selecting her lunch at Prairie Point Dining Center when she was a first-year student and hearing an unfamiliar voice calling her name.

It was Kyle Holen, an employee of Sodexo, ��߲ݴ�ý’s food services provider.

“My sister had told Kyle the year before that I had plans to attend ��߲ݴ�ý and to keep an eye out for me,” Tremain recalled. “Kyle was able to pick me out of the crowd and welcome me so well.”

“That shows such dedication for his efforts to get to know every student here,” she added.

On February 11th, Holen was honored with the university’s CORE Award, which recognizes an individual whose efforts and contributions significantly exceed expectations in demonstrating or promoting ��߲ݴ�ý’s core values: excellence, liberal arts, personal attention to students, diversity, community and stewardship.

In nominating Holen for the award, colleagues and students noted:

When tours are given to prospective students, the student ambassadors always introduce the prospective student to Kyle. Kyle automatically remembers everyone’s name.
His attention to detail is incredible.
He will remember your omelet order even though he has only made it once and it was six months prior.
His extra care provides assurance to parents that their child will be cared for away at college.
Kyle is one of those people who you will never forget. His impact on students is priceless.

“There have been countless mornings when I’ve been extremely tired after 6 a.m. conditioning and Kyle always has an omelet waiting for me and brightens my mood for the day,” said senior Cooper Cook, a member of the men’s basketball team. “No matter if I am having a tough, busy or easy day, Kyle has been a constant and is always there to talk to.”

Holen was honored during the university’s February staff meeting. His plaque is now proudly displayed at his omelet station.

“Every time I see Kyle I still have such great conversations with him, and he is always so interested in what I am doing,” said Tremain. “I always leave feeling better than I did before.”