The President’s Office gathered on Tuesday, June 23, for its annual Employee Appreciation Lunch, bringing employees together for a street food-themed celebration that highlighted good food, teamwork and community spirit.
Although rain prompted the planning team to adjust the start time and seating arrangements, the weather cleared in time for lunch. Lawn games that had been planned were temporarily put on hold, but employees were still able to enjoy a festive meal prepared by the cafeteria’s catering team.
The menu featured a wide range of street food-inspired favorites, including Beacon Street Chicken Empanadas, Corsair Grilled Chicken Satay, Chan Wellness Tofu Satay, River Hawk Falafel Gyros, Korean BBQ Drumsticks, Old Chapel Birria Tacos with dipping broth, Dunlap Burgers, University Hall Sausage with peppers and onions, Campus Center Street Corn Salad, South Coast Vegetable Pakoras, Israeli Couscous Salad with mint dressing, Quad Asparagus with lemon thyme dressing, Five-Campus Seasonal Fruit Salad and a Commonwealth Loaded Tater Tot Bar.
The celebration included several lighthearted touches. Employees received name tags with silly titles, colorful sunglasses and tie-dyed tattoos. Jillian Warren and Maria McKinney hosted a tie-dye station where participants could create their own shirts, while Jacquie Kittler served as the event’s in-house DJ, keeping the atmosphere lively with music throughout lunch.
Following the meal, John Dunlap recognized the office’s interns and thanked them for their contributions, presenting each with a UMass goodie bag. President Meehan also addressed employees, offering words of appreciation for their work and dedication.
As the weather improved, employees moved outside for a friendly game of bocce on the lawn, adding to the afternoon’s relaxed and collegial atmosphere.
The day ended on a sweet note with an ice cream truck serving scoops to employees. Employees also enjoyed 250 homemade cookies baked by Erika O’Malley and her mother, a contribution that drew enthusiastic appreciation from everyone!
A special thank-you goes to our Employee Appreciation Lunch Planning Team:
- Amy Thompson
- Cheryl Millett
- Jacquie Kittler
- Jillian Warren
- Kylie Desrosiers
- Lucas Carter
And a big thank you to the many employees who volunteered their time to help with setup and cleanup. Their support, teamwork and behind-the-scenes efforts helped make the annual celebration a success.
With another successful Employee Appreciation Lunch complete, employees are already looking ahead and wondering what next year’s theme will be.
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