There’s something deeply comforting about seeing a familiar face in an unexpected place. It’s a small moment of joy, a relief, a quiet affirmation that you belong.
Bellarmine has been my academic home for the past few years as I journey through my doctoral studies in education. And whenever I’m on campus, one of my simple pleasures is the variety of meals offered by dining services. I love the fresh salads, the sandwich bar, and my absolute favorite—the weekend omelet station, where I indulge in my well-earned combination of eggs, bacon and ham mixed with a colorful array of vegetables. No, I never pledged allegiance to a vegan or vegetarian diet, though I admire those who do so.
Today, as I entered the dining hall, I noticed something different. The familiar faces I usually smiled at while going back for seconds were missing. Where was the friendly omelet maker who knew just how I liked my mix? And then it hit me: Of course! A new semester had begun, bringing a wave of new students and staff. But just as I was adjusting to this realization, I spotted Mr. Vincent, my favorite person in the dining hall!
If you understand the joy of going for seconds and having someone serve you with a warm smile and a friendly "enjoy your meal," you’ll understand why I was so delighted. We chatted briefly, and I asked about his other passion, music. He admitted he hadn’t been feeling great lately, so he had slowed down, but I was happy to see him. Mr. Vincent has been serving Bellarmine students in the dining hall for eight years, and his enthusiasm for his work is undeniable.
But I digress.
Almost immediately, I noticed something else. The usual plates, cups and soup bowls had been replaced with paper alternatives. Had the dining hall changed its policy? I’ve always preferred a proper plate, fork and knife when having a meal—perhaps a lingering British colonial influence from Ghana. Curious, I spotted someone who looked like a manager inspecting the stations and decided to investigate.
One thing I appreciate about Bellarmine is its intentionality when it comes to customer service. The manager, though in the middle of a phone call, immediately paused to answer my questions. He explained that the dishwashing machines were undergoing maintenance, so the paper replacements were a temporary solution. But what about sustainability? Were these new materials recyclable? He assured me that they were both biodegradable and recyclable. That got me thinking; do students know where to dispose of these properly?
Have you taken a moment to check out the different waste bins around campus? The library, lecture halls, dorms; how about Frazer Hall? Fun fact: Frazer Hall alone has 12 different bins. Yes, I actually counted them this morning!
So, here’s my question for you: Do you know which bin to use for your waste at Bellarmine? Are you mindful of how you’re recycling your waste and other items?
If you’re curious or want to learn more, join us this Thursday when Jane Halliday, an ambassador from kNOw Waste Louisville, will be speaking with the Sustainability Committee about proper waste management. If you can’t make it, stay tuned for my next blog post, where I’ll share the key takeaways.
And before I go, do you have a favorite meal or person at the dining hall yet? Today, I tried the hot and sour soup and was pleasantly surprised. Maybe you should give it a shot next time. Just make sure you know where to toss your soup cup when you're done!
Esther Awovi Akafia
The Sustainability Desk