The food & face of the Commons

When approaching the mint-green doors I hear student voices and chattering. I touch the door handle and gradually open the door. I look around, wondering if I'll be able to find a table to eat at given how crowded the commons are. As soon as I enter, I am immediately struck by the smell of various foods. People are standing in line to swipe their student ID cards. Every time I approach those doors in the morning, Chip is the first person I see. A black chef's hat, all-black button-down shirt, pants, and shoes complete Chip's outfit.

Chip checks that everyone swipes their cards correctly while sitting at the black desk chair, and her contagious smile never fails to brighten every student's day. Chip has been the face of the commons for the past 27 years! That's true, Chip has spent her entire 27-year life working at the commons. The love she has for every student is unbelievable. Chip happily responded by saying, "This is the best part of my day because I am here with you students, my family, you guys are my life." Every time a student entered the room, even when I was interviewing Chip, she cheerfully greeted them with a smile and the words "Enjoy, lunch is ready!"

"I like your tan, brown shoes, they look so comfortable!" she said observantly.

The student answered with a small smile, "Thank you, I just got them and wasn't sure how I felt about them."

"That pair of slippers is what I'm looking for. Have a good day and enjoy the food while it's still hot!" she said.

Chip never fails to cheer up her students, whether it's with a smile or a simple compliment! As she spoke passionately about her job, Chip had the biggest smile on her face. "While I'm at home, I'm lonely and depressed, but when I'm working here, I'm happy," Chip remarked gently as she gave me the warmest smile. In addition to becoming the face of the commons, Chip began her career in the kitchen before moving on to the front desk.

After Chip gives me a friendly smile as I enter the dining hall, I turn to my left and my mouth starts to water. I then ask myself, "What do I want?" as I quickly scan the room. I turn to face it and notice a salad bar with a huge variety of toppings and dressings. Behind the salad bar, the Ignite grill serves piping-hot fries, delicious chicken sandwiches, and just-baked hamburgers.

I can see the Local Harvest just behind her from where Chip is seated. Entrees are available for lunch and dinner at The Local Harvest. The freshly made mashed potatoes are steaming. There is roasted bone-in chicken with paprika, onion, garlic, and salt as seasonings (Maria Bauman, Scranton Commons Dining Hall 2023).

On the tan and brown tiled floor, keep going straight until you reach the desert station, which is my favorite. Cake Batter, Cappuccino, Strawberry, and Mint Chocolate Chip are just a few of the various kinds of ice cream that are available.  

“Scranton Commons Dining Hall.” Scranton Commons Dining Hall - Bloomsburg University, https://bloomu.campusdish.com/en/locationsandmenus/scrantoncommonsdininghall/.