College Honors Lucinda Anderson, Retiring General Manager of Food Services

At lunch in St. Joseph Commons this afternoon, Thomas Aquinas College bid farewell to Lucinda Anderson, who — after managing food services at the College for 20 years — is retiring this summer.

Mrs. Anderson is a general manager for Bon Appétit, the Palo Alto-based restaurant company that has operated the College’s kitchen and dining services since 1996. “By our account, Lucinda has overseen the preparation and serving of over 1.5 million meals,” said President Michael F. McLean. Students — many of whom have worked student-scholarship jobs in Mrs. Anderson’s kitchen over the years — laughed and cheered in appreciation.  “I would call that excelling at her corporal works of mercy.”

During Mrs. Anderson’s tenure, St. Joseph Commons has developed a reputation for meals that far exceed typical “cafeteria” fare. “I think I speak for all of us in saying that the food service here is excellent, and Lucinda deserves a great amount of credit for making it so,” said Dr. McLean. “Lucinda is also responsible for overseeing 50 part-time student workers on an annual  basis, and she has been a wonderful mentor and example for them. Always cheerful, patient, and kind, she has taught them discipline, diligence, and respect for the importance of hard work — great gifts that will stand all of you in great stead in whatever you choose to do.”

As a token of the College’s gratitude, Dr. McLean gave Mrs. Anderson and her husband, Dion, a framed photo of the campus and a gift card to a local restaurant, so that “Lucinda won’t have to do the cooking!” He also reported, however, that the Andersons had requested no gifts whatsoever and that, instead, asked that the College make a donation to the Fr. Buckley Scholarship Fund in their name. In honor of that request, the College has made a $500 donation to the fund, which supports financial aid, and Bon Appétit has generously matched that contribution. “As always,” Dr. McLean remarked, “Lucinda and Dion put the College and its students first.”

As part of the festivities, the College’s barbershop quartet — the B-Shop Boys,  directed by Giorgio Navarini (’17), who works for Mrs. Anderson in the kitchen — serenaded her with the Irish blessing, “May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back.” The College’s Residential Assistant, Sarah Dufresne (’14), presented her with a book of personal notes of gratitude from the entire community; and Iris Connelly (’16) brought up a cake that she and some friends baked to mark the occasion.

After receiving a prolonged, standing ovation, Mrs. Anderson spoke briefly and with characteristic humility. “A leader cannot do her or his job without a great team behind her,” she said. “And I have had a fabulous team.” Among those she singled out for praise was Head Chef Jacob Coke, who will succeed Mrs. Anderson as Bon Appétit’s on-site general manager. “If Jake’s cooking is any indication,” observed Dr. McLean, “we know that food services is in excellent hands.”