November 5, 2018

HDS Newsletter

Corbett Lobby and The Foundry Grand Opening

By Sylvia Cranmer, HDS Communications

Homecoming and Parent/Family Weekend at CSU boasted many celebrations, including HDS’s grand opening of the newly renovated Corbett lobby and the brand new Corbett/Parmelee dining center, The Foundry, on October 12, 2018.

Corbett and Parmelee have had a combined kitchen and individual dining areas for many years, however with this renovation the two became one as The Foundry. “The kitchen was over 30 years old and needed an overhaul anyway, giving us the opportunity to modernize the whole facility with a new “food hall” concept which is a popular design element in contemporary dining,” says Liz Poore, Director of Residential Dining Services. “The focus throughout the whole project has been on the students and creating a new dining and lobby space for them. A lot of thought went into their needs and wants for the new space, so we wanted to celebrate finishing that process.”

Also featured during the grand opening was the newly renovated Corbett lobby/lounge which has new open spaces that reflect inclusion and diversity in an abstract way, through furniture choices as well as art, which the designers selected based on CSU’s Principles of Community. The décor has a contemporary feel with mid-century modern touches, while also giving a nod to Corbett’s original 1965 roots.

  • A team from across HDS hosted the event, which focused on collaboration on finishing the two spaces
  • The building was open from 2-4 pm for free, allowing students, staff and guests to explore the new spaces and enjoy the food
  • 200-300 people visited the Foundry for the grand opening, including many parents who were visiting for Homecoming weekend
  • Golden metal straws were given out during the event
  • The menu included many special food items, which were served specifically for the occasion, including Beet Cured Salmon Crostini, Beef Sliders, Arapa Canapes, and Potato and Pastrami Knishes.

Name:
John Clevenger

Position:
Assistant Director of Multimedia

Hometown:
Cleveland, OH

Education:
I was a dual major in Visual Communication Technology and Criminal Justice with a double minor in Psychology and Entrepreneurship from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH.

Career path to this point:
I’ve worked for startups, marketing companies, and media companies, but knew I wanted to get away from the corporate environment and back into the higher education environment.

Favorite aspect about the job (so far):
There’s a different vibe within a higher education environment. While it may be hard to readily name or explain, I believe this saying perfectly encapsulates it: “Looking from the outside in, you can never understand it. Standing on the inside looking out you can never explain it.”

Hobbies:
Photography, hiking, writing, traveling, and cooking.

Favorite book or movie:
One of my all-time favorite books is Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry or Persuasion by Jane Austin. I don’t think I’d be able to pick a favorite movie as I’ve consumed over 5,000 hours of media/films.

Favorite quote:
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

Something interesting about you that others may not know:
I’ve had four near-death experiences, and have been hit by a car twice, but never broken a bone (knock on wood!)