Dining Services highlights diverse hobbies through new campaign
From taekwondo to being a personal trainer, dining employees share some of their wide-ranging pastimes.
Virginia Tech Dining Services is a full-service residential dining program that has garnered accolades and recognition from publications such as the Princeton Review, Niche Magazine, and Food Management Magazine through the efforts of its dedicated staff and employees.
Dining Services likes to highlight the diverse hobbies and activities that its employees engage in during their free time. From hiking the scenic trails of the Blue Ridge Mountains to honing taekwondo skills, dining employees are encouraged to embrace their passions and enjoy a life that extends beyond their work responsibilities.
Dining employees share their hobbies
Kelvin Bergsten, assistant director of Dietrick, is an avid hiker and outdoorsman. He takes time to pursue his hiking passion through exploration of trails and parks.
Executive Chef Scott Surratt spends his time outside of work with his family, even coaching his sons’ baseball team.
Emily Williams is the sustainability manager for Dining Services and a devoted personal trainer. Williams has enough time outside of her job to partake in another activity where she helps people achieve healthy goals.
2023 Brian Grove Senior Associate Director of Dining Services photo By Darren Van Dyke for Virginia Tech.
An inspirational figure
Another person who encapsulates the image of Dining Services is Brian Grove, senior associate director. Grove began his journey with Dining Services like many other seasoned workers and has worked with dining for decades, along with a few other staff members.
Grove graduated with a bachelor's degree in architecture in 1992. He continued to work for dining after he graduated, combining his love for food services with the knowledge gained from his degree. He started in a non-student wage management position and continued his journey before landing a position as an associate director. With his knowledge and degree in architecture, Grove assisted on large projects and remodels, combining two lifelong passions.
"I started my career the day I graduated,” said Grove, “and 35 years later, I am still here.”
Dining Services encourages potential employees interested in employment within a residential dining program to explore its dynamic career opportunities. Potential employees can learn more about Dining Services on the Virginia Tech Dining website.
