Gadsden State Community College unveils renovated Cardinal Café

Greg Bailey, Gadsden Times
·2 min read
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Gadsden State Community College on Wednesday debuted its renovated cafeteria in the Inzer Student Center on the Wallace Drive Campus.

Upgrades to the Cardinal Café, according to a news release, include seating for 100 people, a new heating and cooling system, new window walls, fresh paint and décor, and new TV sets.

There’s also an employee dining area and a separate room that can seat 72 people for meetings, student gatherings and special events.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in conjunction with The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County, attracting local business and political leaders, Gadsden State students and faculty, and members of the Cardinal Foundation Board of Directors.

School President Kathy Murphy thanked them for “keeping Gadsden State important and relevant in the life of our community,” adding, “We want to continue to do the good work that we are doing for many years to come.”

The Cardinal Foundation raised close to $31,000 in donations to purchase new furniture for the cafeteria. Its president, Tommie Goggans III, said the group is “all-in” on providing opportunities for the college and its students.

Gadsden State Community College hosted a ribbon cutting Oct. 25 for the renovated Cardinal Café on the Wallace Drive Campus. Pictured from left are John Roberson, director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs; Mark Condra, past president of the Cardinal Foundation; Tommie Goggans III, foundation president; Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State; Heather Brothers New, a member of the Cardinal Foundation Board of Directors; and Ricky Ray, a foundation board member.

“We want to make sure our students have positive experiences while attending Gadsden State," Goggans said. “Providing them with spaces that are nice, safe and conducive to a positive collegiate experience is a priority for us.”

Sodexo, Gadsden State’s cafeteria vendor, chipped in $30,000 toward the upgrades and renovations. “For over 30 years we have had a positive partnership with Gadsden State, and we look forward to continuing that partnership," Sodexi District Manager Anne Rankin said. "We have wonderful plans to provide server area enhancements in the near future.”

John Roberson, GSCC’s director of Advancement and Alumni Relations, recalled visiting the cafeteria while attending events on campus as a child. He said he was tasked by Murphy with launching a fundraiser for the facility when he joined the school’s staff last year.

“Never did I imagine that I would be a part of the renovation of the Cardinal Café,” Roberson said. “I’m proud of the work that the Cardinal Foundation does to improve student experiences.”

The project received Community Block Grant funding from all three of Etowah County’s state House districts. Along with Sodexo, donors include Exchange Bank of Alabama; The Chamber Talent Development and Growth and Retention Committees; ZLA Solutions; Alan Wallace; Alicia Ingle; Caleb and Jenna Campbell; Barbara Dorsett; Murphy; Eric Ellis; Heather New; Keli Feely; Mark and Barbara Condra; Patricia Connell; Trudy Lowe at Preferred Health Services Inc.; and Vance and Remona Roberson.

Visit GadsdenState.edu/CardinalFoundation for more information on the Cardinal Foundation.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden State unveils upgraded cafeteria