From Dishwasher to Virtuoso: Dining Hall Staff Serenades Students with Surprise Violin Performance

 On Valentine's Day, February 14th, lunch in the main dining hall came with a special ingredient: live violin music from one of our own!

 Steve Saintus, a dishwasher in the dining hall, surprised and delighted students during the lunch hour with a beautiful serenade.  His performance transformed the bustling dining hall into a warm and celebratory space, perfectly complementing the special Valentine's Day menu.

 Originally from Cap-Haitien, Haiti, Steve has been playing the violin for six years.  What makes his story even more remarkable is that he's entirely self-taught!  With no formal lessons, Steve honed his skills by watching YouTube videos, demonstrating incredible dedication and a passion for music.  While playing is a hobby for him, his talent is undeniable.

 Dressed for the occasion in a festive red bow tie, Steve's music provided the perfect romantic ambiance.  His performance was a testament to the diverse talents and passions within the Rollins community, and a heartwarming reminder of the power of music to bring people together.  It was a truly special Valentine's Day lunch, made even more memorable by Steve's generosity and musical gift.

Calling All Boba Lovers!

Get ready to slurp your way to happiness!  The Grind in Olin Library is NOW SERVING BOBA TEA!  We're not talking just a few flavors—our brand-new, state-of-the-art boba machine whips up over 15 varieties of boba, smoothies, and lemonades! You can even customize your sweetness level!  And the best part—you can treat yourself to boba bliss for just $4.98-$5.99.  Olin Library just became the place to be!

Gluten-Free Goodness Awaits! (No Gluten, No Problem)

Looking for delicious gluten-free options? Look no further! Our Gluten Free Corner, located next to the upstairs Simple Servings station, is stocked daily with fresh breakfast, lunch, and dinner treats. Enjoy the flavor without the guilt! (And finally understand what all the gluten-free hype is about.)

The Marketplace, Rollins’ main dining hall popularly referred to as the CC, has transformed into an all-swipe location on both levels. Now students swipe upon entering the building and access unlimited selections from more than a dozen stations. The lower level now features an additional deli station, a soup and salad station, a dessert station, and an all-new Simple Servings station that now has its own kitchen dedicated to foods made without the top nine allergens. Students can move interchangeably between the two floors throughout their meal, enjoying a wide variety of all-you-can-eat fare with just one swipe.

We’re thrilled to announce the grand opening of The Grind, our brand-new coffee shop in the heart of Olin Library! Here’s why everyone will love The Grind:

Custom-Made Drinks:
Goodbye to ordinary coffee routines! From creamy lattes to refreshing cold brews, our baristas will make caffeine dreams come true. 

Delicious Sandwiches & Bakery Items:
Our wide selection of gourmet sandwiches and delectable bakery items. We’ve got everything from savory subs to mouthwatering pastries that are perfect for a quick snack or a hearty meal. 

Cozy & Convenient:
Open 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with comfortable seating, plenty of power outlets, and a cozy atmosphere, The Grind Cafe is the perfect spot to refuel and relax between classes. 

The Simple Servings station in The Marketplace was awarded with gold-level status, the highest possible rating for food allergen solutions. Simple Servings serves hot meals prepared without eight of the nine most common allergens, which account for 90% of all food allergic reactions. Recipes exclude milk, eggs, wheat, soy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame, and also omit gluten. A dedicated kitchen space with its own ingredients, equipment, and smallwares reduces the risk of contamination while allowing students to enjoy allergen-free meals in the Marketplace alongside their peers. In addition, a registered dietician is on-call to answer any questions. The comprehensive audit gave Rollins a score of 141 out of a possible 142 criteria points. 

Dining Services #1 in Service Excellence 

In the latest Rollins College Service Excellence Survey, Tars ranked Dining Services and Catering the top performers in service excellence across campus. Survey recipients were asked to score campus organizations in the areas of responsiveness, respectfulness, collaboration, competence, and inclusivity, where Dining Services scored a cumulative 5.4 out of 6. When asked if Dining Services delivers service excellence, 83% agreed or strongly agreed.