Raymond Dining Hall, the main dining facility for Providence College students, was rededicated with a ribbon-cutting and open house on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021, following a complete renovation during the summer.
Faculty and staff were invited to enjoy complimentary meals alongside students throughout the day. Ray Dining features traditional offerings, such as a diner serving burgers and fries, a salad bar with fresh vegetables and whole grains, and a pizza and pasta station. But it also offers stations where students can prepare their own food from Ray ingredients and a password-protected pantry for those who have Celiac disease or nut allergies.
“As someone who takes cooking seriously, I am so impressed by everything about this facility,” said College President Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. ’78, ’82G. “The staff is skilled, creative, and committed, and the equipment they use is as good as you will find anywhere. For example, there is one self-cleaning oven that can steam, blanch, poach, bake, roast, sear, fry, grill, smoke or cook overnight, all depending on the need.”
Matthew Lussier ’22 (Ludlow, Mass.), a political science and Spanish major who is president of Student Congress, said he was already enjoying the new wing bar through his meal plan.
“Food unites people,” Lussier said. “The dining hall is a place to gather with friends.”
John Sweeney, senior vice president for finance and business and chief financial officer, said the goal of the summer renovation was to make the dining experience for students equal to the academic experience.
“This is a place where countless memories have been made, but now it has evolved into something truly extraordinary,” Sweeney said. “Ray features a purposeful, thoughtful design, combined with the latest equipment and technology, and supported by an extraordinary staff from Sodexo, to deliver a great dining experience. It is one of the finest facilities of its kind anywhere. It is a real gem on our campus and in the Sodexo portfolio.”
Cal Thetford, chief operating officer for Sodexo Universities East, thanked the college for its 24-year partnership with Sodexo. He said students seemed excited about the dining hall makeover and Sodexo employees are enjoying working there as well.
More changes are planned for Ray next summer. An atrium will be constructed on top of the outdoor concrete patio. It will allow additional indoor and outdoor seating for 200 students.
