November 20, 2008

Purdue University Residences dedicates 2 dining rooms

Windsor Dining Court
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The dining room at Earhart is being named for the late Helen Townsend, and the dining room at Windsor is being named for the late Betty Arnsman. Both women served Purdue Housing and Food Services for more than 30 years.

By the time Townsend had retired in 1976 as assistant director of residence halls for food services, she had been instrumental in expanding the number of residence halls dining facilities from two to 12.

"Helen contributed to the prestige and public image of Purdue University Residence Halls through her professionalism, high standards and visionary thinking," said Sarah Johnson, University Residences director of dining services. "She was a consummate professional, a role model and a mentor who dedicated her entire career to the betterment of students."

As director of women's residence halls, Arnsman helped lead the consolidation of the men's and women's residential systems in 1969, culminating a decade in which the number of residence halls nearly doubled. John Sautter, vice president for housing and food services, said Arnsman was significantly responsible for creating one of the nation's largest on-campus housing programs, which now serves nearly 12,000 students.

"Betty dedicated her career to education and the personal development, growth and life-planning of students, particularly for women," Sautter said. "She brought to her profession and her daily life the highest standards of ethics, integrity and honesty and was an exceptional role model for students and colleagues."

When the 720-seat Earhart Dining Court opened in 2003 it was the first of five new or reconfigured dining facilities to open as part of the $50 million plan to consolidate 12 dining rooms into five larger, modern, more efficient dining courts offering more diverse food options. After it opened in 2005, Windsor Dining Court featured international and vegetarian serving stations. Its Tudor-inspired design won several national design awards for its open-kitchen, 500-seat, restaurant-style configuration. Combined, the two dining courts serve nearly 8,000 meals per day.

The dining services portion of the University Residences master plan was completed this summer when a freestanding dining court opened immediately south of Wiley Hall. This new dining court built on the previous courts' architectural and dining success by offering an even larger selection of made-to-order meals.

Johnson said the private dining rooms within the dining courts are good locations for groups to dine together, particularly during breakfast and lunch. They also are popular locations for banquets and working meals. The Helen Townsend and Betty Arnsman dining rooms each seat 100 people.

Writer: Jim Schenke, (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu

Sources: John Sautter, (765) 494-1000, jasautter@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: The dedication ceremony at Earhart Dining Court begins at 3 p.m. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. The ceremony at Windsor Dining Court begins at 3:40 p.m. For more information, contact Jim Schenke, Purdue News Service, at (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu

PHOTO CAPTION:
Purdue University Residences will dedicate private dining rooms to honor two past housing and food services leaders. This dining room at Windsor Dining Court is part of a 2005 renovation that has earned multiple national design awards. (Purdue News Service photo/Jim Schenke)

A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2008/windsor-dining.jpg

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