Student Life
Muskingum unveils plans for major dining hall renovation
Beginning in the fall of 2018, dining at Muskingum University will look and feel much different. The University recently unveiled plans to completely overhaul Patton Dining Hall, currently the largest dining space on campus.
Inspired by student feedback, the plans include a top-to-bottom redesign that will offer several new dynamic food stations and result in additional meal options. A wood-fired pizza oven, mobile phone charging tables and a variety of high top and traditional seating options are included in the plans.
“Our students told us what they had in mind and we listened,” said Muskingum Dean of Students Susan Waryck. “The goal is to create a modern, cozy space where students can connect with one another and relax, but also to provide additional meal options and variety.”
Student Senate Executive President Luke Lloyd said a student committee formed last year gathered feedback and requests on dining hall arrangements and compiled them for the University.
“These renderings are phenomenal, but I think the final product is going to be even better,” Lloyd said. “It will be a much friendlier environment with a modern look and feel and better food choices. Overall, I know students are really looking forward to it.”
Student feedback included requests for general dining hall updates, food stations, a better selection of fresh foods and a space more conducive to gathering socially.
“When you walk into Patton Dining Hall next fall, it will feel much more like a modern, comfortable restaurant than a dining hall, and that’s exactly what we wanted,” Waryck added.
To accommodate a targeted Fall 2018 completion, Patton Dining Hall will close in March 2018, the week before Spring Break, for renovations to begin, and Thomas Dining Hall and the Bait Shop will offer extended hours for the remainder of the semester.
“These plans represent a major investment in evolving our student dining experience,” said Phil Laube, Vice President for Finance & Operations at Muskingum. “Students are going to love their new dining hall, and we’re excited to begin building it for them.”
Creating the new space will require some time and patience, Laube added, but the result will be well worth the wait. Total seating in the new Patton Dining Hall will be 419, including 28 soft seats and 391 general seats.
Food stations will include a classic recipe station; comfort foods and traditional fare; an Italian station with chewy Chicago-style pizza; a made-to-order deli sandwich and panini station; a prime grill station with kebabs and international cuisine; a garden station with fresh fruits and vegetables and organic and local fare; and a dessert station with creme brulee, house-made granola bars and molten chocolate cake.
