Eastern Mennonite University - Shenandoah Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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Complaints about food have been standard table con- versation in past years. Naturally, food prepared for 600 never comes up to a home-cooked meal. But improve- ments were made in EMC’s food services this year under the direction of Lynn Bontrager. The most significant innovation was a buffet-style service. Students took all the food they wanted and were expected to eat all they took. Comparing food waste to previous years, Bontrager commented, “It’s way, way down.” The new setup was particularly appealing to dieters. Soups and the ever-present cottage cheese and tossed salad cheered the stomachs of perennial weight watchers. The new method worked out well. At first, the students tended to eat more, making expenses go up. Eventually costs leveled off and even dropped a lit tle. The students liked the variety and free selection, but some still complained that the line moved too slowly. FOOD SERVICES Samet whole, however, dining room morale was

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‘Development is precisely what the word implies — we are planning the future of this institution,” stated Richard Benner, director of Development. In this context, the role of the Development Division becomes much broader than merely a front for fund raising. Ideally, fund raising should be at the end of a long progression of planning and projection rather than a haphazard scramble for money when a need suddenly arises. This year, the Development staff gave priority to ideas, projections, and long-range planning. Pointing out the “crisis-planning’’ nature of EMC Development in previous years, Benner stressed that ‘proper develop- ment is being twenty-five years ahead.” In putting this philosophy into concrete practice, the Development personnel worked closely with department chairmen to ascertain their dreams and visions for the future and drew up concrete proposals for facilities needed in the next decade. The Develop- ment Office then increased contacts with foundations in attempts to finance their proposals. Capital projects studied this year included chapel renovation and a field house. To carry out these plans for the future, continued support was needed from communities outside of EMC. Media, Church and Alumni Relations departments strengthened communication channels with their con- stituencies. The Media Relations Office increased production of television specials and ran more advertising for EMC in nationally-distributed maga- zines. The Alumni staff encouraged community involve- ment in EMC by placing responsibility for regional chapters under the Alumni Association. The Church Relations director strengthened ties with congregations through increased extension team contacts. Development planning session 30