On Thursday, Feb. 20, the University of Dallas held a grand opening ceremony to officially celebrate the new dining area in Haggar.
The new dining area has been long in the works. Scott Bates, executive director of facilities and capital projects, had been closely involved with the campus improvement project since he began with the university in July 2023.
“The University and Aramark understood that more dining options and student-focused spaces were needed,” said Bates. “As a result of this partnership and understanding of the need for expanded dining options, the New Retail Dining Space project was initiated.”
Construction began in summer 2024 with the hopes of finishing the project near the start of the spring 2025 semester.
Robert Watling, vice president for finance & administration and chief financial officer for the university, said, “Key benefits of the new space include an improved variety of food options and more comfortable areas for students to gather and collaborate.”
With the new food court ready to go at the beginning of the spring semester, the day finally came to celebrate its grand opening.
The festivities began with an opening dedicatory speech by Dr. Jonathan Sanford, president of the university. Sanford announced that the new space would be called the St. Pier Giorgio Frassati Food Court, named for the first millennial saint who is to be canonized later this year.
According to Sanford, the name was chosen for both the significance of Blessed Frassati to the younger generation and for his Italian heritage, a heritage and culture which UD is continuously trying to make present at the Irving campus.
Ambrose Tallon, an undeclared freshman, attended the event and offered a comment on the new name.
“I think it’s cool,” Tallon said. “Honestly, I liked the unofficial name that it was given, The Hog, a little better. But it’s cool to give it that [name] to commemorate [Frassati].”
Sanford thanked all the representatives from Aramark for their investment with the project, which, he noted, finished under budget and sooner than expected. Aramark worked closely with the university from the start of the project to its completion.
Speaking on UD’s relationship with Aramark, Sanford said, “We’ve been in a relationship with you for over 40 years. Now, that relationship has deepened. It has strengthened. You are creative collaborators, and, in fact, investors in the University of Dallas.”
Next, Sanford invited Todd Robinson, vice president of operations at Aramark, to speak about the project.
“Most importantly,” said Robinson, “This is about the students, and I can’t help but think about what this space used to be compared to what it is today. Hopefully, for the students here, you look back 20 years from now and think about all the great memories that were created in this space.”
Many UD students already feel quite comfortable with the new space.
“I’ve sat here many times,” said Tallon. “In the evening, the afternoon, you can always find someone that you know, because people just love to hang out here.”
Following the speeches by Sanford and Robinson, Friar Mariano Veliz, chaplain of the Church of the Incarnation, led a prayer dedicating the new space.
After the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon, signifying the opening of Frassati’s, the students, faculty and staff present were free to engage in games to win prizes and talk with some of the vendors who provide food and drink to the students.
Everyone left with some sort of prize, whether that was a coffee cup from Rolling Hills, a koozie from Aramark, a Red Bull or a sushi sample.
Although students were initially unsure of the new renovation of a familiar space, everyone seems satisfied with the new dining options, the new, cozy study space and the fresh atmosphere. The Frassati Food Court looks to be a UD staple for years to come.