Dining Services

Dining Services Awards

The Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards

Everybody deserves recognition for a job well done. In college and university culinary arts, the ultimate professional tribute is the NACUFS’ Loyal E. Horton Dining Award.  Named for a NACUFS
founder, past president, and highly regarded innovator, the Loyal E. Horton Award salutes the most innovative ideas and successful implementation in exemplary menus, presentations, special event planning, and residential dining concepts.

2024

  • Silver - Residential Dining/Special Event 
    100 Years of Hollywood 

2023

  • Silver & Grand Prize- Residential Dining/Special Event 
    Stranger Things Trick or Treat

2020

  • Gold- Residential Dining Facility
  • Gold - Residential Dining/Special Event 
    80's Rewind
  • Gold- Catering/Special Event
    New Orleans Garden District Breakfast

2019

  • Silver- Residential Dining Facility
  • Silver - Residential Dining/Special Event 
    The Roaring 20's
  • Bronze- Catering/Special Event
    Mysterious Benedict Society

2018

  • Gold & Grand Prize- Residential Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Gold - Residential Dining/Special Event 
    The Beatles
  • Gold- Catering/Special Event
    Murphy House 40th Anniversary

2017

  • Gold - Residential Dining/Special Event 
    New Orleans
  • Gold- Residential Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Gold- Catering/Special Event
    Daryl Farmer Special Guest

2016

  • Gold & Grand Prize- Residential Dining/Special Event 
    BBQ Smokeout
  • Gold- Residential Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Gold- Catering/Special Event
    Autumn in Arkansas- Edwidge Danticat Special Guest
  • Silver - Retail Sales
    The Burrow

2015

  • Gold - Residential Dining/Special Event 
    Mediterranean Cruise
  • Silver- Residential Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Bronze - Retail Sales
    The Burrow

2014

  • Gold - Residential Dining/Special Event 
    A Day in Paris
  • Gold - Retail Sales
    The Burrow 
  • Silver- Residential Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Bronze - Catering
    Online Menu

2013

  • Gold - Residential Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Gold & Grand Prize - Catering
    Online Menu
  • Gold - Retail Sales
    The Burrow 
  • Bronze - Residential Dining/Special Event 
    Presidential Road Trip
  • Bronze - Catering/Special Event 
    The Yellow Wall-Paper- Dan Welcher Special Guest

2012

  • Gold - Residential Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Silver - Catering
    Online Menu
  • Silver - Retail Sales
    The Burrow
  • Silver - Residential Dining/Special Event
    Carnival
  • Bronze - Catering/Special Event
    Crime- Amelie Hastie Special Guest

2011

  • Gold - Catering
    Online Menu
  • Silver - Catering/Special Event
    Lydia Davis Special Guest
  • Silver - Residential Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Silver - Residential Dining/Special Event
    Destination-20th Century Cuisine of No. America
  • Silver - Retail Sales
    The Burrow

2010

  • Gold - Catering
    Standard Menu
  • Silver - Residence Hall Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Silver - Catering/Special Event
    David Wiesner Special Guest
  • Bronze - Retail Operations
    The Burrow

2009

  • Gold - Catering/Special Event
    West Meets East Dinner
  • Silver - Residence Hall Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Silver - Residence Hall/Special Event
    Paris Day
  • Silver - Catering
    Standard Menu
  • Bronze - Retail Operations
    The Burrow

2008

  • Gold - Residence Hall Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Gold - Catering
    Standard Menu
  • Gold - Catering/Special Event
    WAC Dinner/Reception
  • Silver - Residence Hall/Special Event
    The OSCARS
  • Bronze - Retail Operations
    The Burrow

2007

  • Silver - Residence Hall Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Silver - Catering
    Standard Menu
  • Silver - Residence Hall/Special Event
    Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville  

2006

  • Silver - Residence Hall Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Bronze - Catering
    Standard Menu
  • Bronze - Retail Operations
    The Burrow

2005

  • Silver - Residence Hall Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Silver - Residence Hall/Special Event
    Toad Suck Luncheon
  • Silver - Catering
    Standard Menu
  • Silver - Retail Operations
    The Burrow

2004

  • Gold - Residence Hall Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Gold - Residence Hall/Special Event
    Outback
  • Bronze - Catering/Special Event
    Alumni Weekend
  • Gold - Retail Operations
    The Burrow
  • Silver - Catering
    Standard Menu

2003

  • Bronze - Residence Hall Dining
    Standard Menu
  • Bronze - Special Event
    Luau
  • Bronze - Catering
    Standard Menu
  • Bronze - Catering/Special Event
    Christmas Party
  • Silver - Retail Operations
    Standard Menu

2002

  • Silver - Catering
    Standard Menu

2000

  • Bronze - Residence Hall/Special Event
    Rock N' Roll

Other Awards

  • 2021 The Helen S. Plotkin Team Excellence Award 
  • 2021 Meritorious Service Award-The Contact Tracing & Quarantine Team.
  • 2012 Premier Illuminating Excellence Award in the dining education sector - presented to Mike Flory
  • 2009 Certificate of Recognition from the U.S.A. Rice Federation for supporting the US Rice Industry & innovated use of U.S.-grown rice on the menu
  • 2004 and 2005 NACUFS Regional Culinary Challenge -Executive Chef Scott Pickens received the Bronze Award
  • 1997-1998 Student Body Appreciation Award