The UDC Student Center food court is now open for business.
“Today is the dawn of a new day for the University of the District of Columbia,” President Maurice D. Edington, Ph.D., said at a ribbon-cutting event held on September 11 outside the new cafeteria in the Student Center on the Van Ness campus.
The food court features two national brands—Chick-fil-A and Fuddruckers—as well as a salad bar, the sandwich shop Stack’d and Laurene’s for Southern fare. The Fuddruckers outpost is the first such location at a university campus in the District.
“We recognized that our students wanted more dining options here on campus. We listened to our students—and we have delivered,” Edington said. “The food court will bring enhanced convenience to our student body.”
On-site restaurants will encourage students to remain on campus for extracurriculars and help provide a more robust college experience, the President said. They will also benefit part-time students.
“Giving our students access to affordable, healthy and reliable dining options will support the schedules of students who work during the day and often don’t have the luxury to travel off campus before evening classes begin,” Edington said.
The cafeteria will serve as a vital gathering place for the UDC community, Edington said, calling it “our Firebirds’ family table for fellowship.”
UDC Chief Operating Officer David A. Franklin thanked DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Council at the ceremony for their ongoing support.
“The investment in UDC is an investment in the future of the District of Columbia and in the next generation of urban talent,” Franklin said.
Newly crowned Ms. UDC Jhanine Walker and Mr. UDC Kiran Terrelonge also spoke at the ribbon-cutting, among several speakers who waved red-and-gold pom-poms to celebrate the opening. Terrelonge noted that students have been “waiting quite a long time” for the opening. Since the Student Center opened in 2016, the space has laid vacant.
“Let’s eat, socialize and make this spot our new hangout spot,” the royals said in tandem.
The food court will be open Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to feeding the UDC community, it will also serve as an employer for UDC students.
As the slate of speakers cut a large red ribbon with oversized scissors at the ceremony’s end, the garage-style doors of the new food court rolled open.