Kent State University Dining Services puts together about 20 dining events in the dining units every school year. Each event is based around specialty food dishes, authentic decoration and sometimes, live entertainment.

Kent State University freshman, Sarah Nogaard, told us about her favorite dining event of the year.

“I really like the Soul Food Night cause they have lots of good options of food and stuff and the atmosphere is fun also,” said Nogaard. “ They have like bands come and play and the music is fun and lively.”

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The dining events are planned and executed by the Dining Services Marketing team. This team consists of a staff of four student marketing associates, as well as one graphic design student.

The marketing team does everything for the events—from poster designs to crafting decorations. This planning process begins as early as the summer before each school year. This is the time when the team creates event budgets, books entertainment and researches possible menu items that correlate with each event’s theme.

Student marketing associate, Leigh Knaus, is a Marketing major at Kent State who has been working in the KSU Dining Marketing office since summer 2013.

“My favorite part of working in this office is the fact that we are getting work done that is relevant to my major, but we also have a really good time doing it,” said Knaus. She feels that the experience she is gaining from the marketing office will help her in her future career.

The marketing team is currently preparing for the Global Chef event on Monday, February 24 in Prentice Café. This event will feature authentic Indian dishes created by chef Raisa D’Souza visiting Kent State from India.