NORFOLK – The dining area in the Northeast Community College Student Center here has a new look, a new menu, and a new name.
College students, faculty, staff, administration and members of the Board of Governors joined officials from Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services recently as a ribbon was cut at the entrance to “The Hawk Spot.”
“Our job at Northeast Community College is to provide a quality education to our students while it is Chartwells’ mission to provide a wonderful menu that includes many healthy choices in their offerings,” said Dr. Michael Chipps, Northeast president. “We are grateful for our partnership with Chartwells as it has made a significant investment into this area.”
The Chartwells dining services team at Northeast offers customized dining options by providing multiple food and beverage venues in an all-you-care-to-eat format with made-to-order dishes, authentic cuisine, and healthy choices at interchangeable concepts and destinations coupled with special or themed events, to name a few.
Chartwells is also dedicated to health, wellness, nutrition and sustainability within its operations through Balanced U, an award winning platform. Students are provided with the resources, knowledge and cuisine that support healthy lifestyles. Chartwells also pays attention to food sensitivities and dietary requirements to support unique student lifestyles. Technology enhances the dining experience by providing nutrition information, menus and ingredients, in particular for individuals with food sensitivities or allergies, via kiosks, apps, or online access.
Dan Eusebio, Chartwells’ district manager, said, “The Chartwells team is truly excited to meet and exceed student expectations while they dine on campus and to make them feel at home. So much so, that the students had the opportunity to name the new dining hall. We are very pleased to be associated with Northeast.”
Chartwells’ President and CEO, Steve Sweeney, commented, “We are truly proud to partner with Northeast Community College since 2012 and look forward to building the future of the campus and community for every student.”
Valeria Perez, Wakefield, enjoys eating in The Hawk Spot. “I have been here countless times – for breakfast, lunch and supper. The staff is just wonderful. Kay (Gilfert) always greets us with a smile and she truly cares about every student, and the entire staff is so great in helping us with our dining needs. I really like the remodeling, as well as the new creative food that is being served in The Hawk Spot.”
Dr. Karen Severson, vice president of student services at Northeast, gives credit to Chartwells’ Northeast food service director, Mark Bonk, in making sure students are eating food that tastes like home cooking. “When a college student is away from home, food plays a huge role in their lives. That experience would not be possible here without the work of Mark and his staff.”
The Hawk Spot serves breakfast Monday-Friday from 6:30-10 a.m. followed by lunch from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dinner is served Monday-Thursday from 5-7:30 p.m. On weekends, brunch is served from
11 a.m.-1 p.m. while dinner runs from 5-6 p.m. The cafeteria features one theme bar each day including Italian, Tex-Mex, Chinese, a potato bar, nacho bar, chili bar, a hot dog bar, and sub sandwiches.
Chartwells also operates “Hawks Landing,” located in the upper level of the Northeast Student Center, and compliments “The Hawk Spot” by offering individual meals made to order, specialty coffees, and much more. The company also runs a coffee shop that serves Starbucks products in Northeast Community College’s Welcome Center.