Three Gold Awards: Wisconsin Union Dining and Hospitality Team Earns National Recognition
Behind every Wisconsin Union meal, catering order and dining concept at the Wisconsin Union is a team focused on delicious food, great service, and so much more.
The Wisconsin Union dining and hospitality team is dedicated to creating dining experiences for a lifetime, building student team members’ real-world skills, and bringing creative dining ideas to life.
That work recently earned national recognition.
The Wisconsin Union dining and hospitality team received three gold Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards from the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS). The team earned gold awards for Catering Program of the Year, Employee Development Program of the Year, and Retail Sales: Single Concept of the Year.
Our team’s submissions were selected from nearly 300 entries recognizing excellence among collegiate dining programs across the United States. Grand prize winners will be announced July 18 at the NACUFS National Conference.
For Wisconsin Union Associate Director of Dining and Hospitality Services Carl Korz, it’s not just the work that makes him proud, but also the talented, hard-working people who make it all possible.
“I am extremely proud of what this whole team accomplished and appreciate everyone’s willingness to contribute to the success of our awards submissions,” Korz said. “I’m proud of what we do and that we have this opportunity to showcase our work.”
Catering Program of the Year
The Catering Program of the Year award recognizes Wisconsin Union catering’s personalized hospitality service, which it delivers with excellence on a remarkable scale.
Each year, our catering team supports more than 3,800 events, ranging from small meetings to weddings to private tailgates. Our team helps bring each client’s vision to life through collaborative menu planning and service tailored to each occasion.
The catering team guides its work with the “6 Burner” (like a stove burner) service model: hospitality, product, staff, compliance, efficiency and collaboration. Those principles help shape everything from menus to guest service.
Whether creating deliciousness for an intimate student gathering or an elegant, plated dinner, the team focuses on consistently creating experiences for a lifetime.
We offer catering for on-site gatherings at Wisconsin Union event spaces, delivery and pick-up. Learn more about Wisconsin Union catering menus and services here.
Employee Development Program of the Year
The Employee Development Program of the Year award recognizes the Wisconsin Union dining and hospitality team’s commitment to helping student employees grow as professionals, leaders and members of the campus community.
Here at the Wisconsin Union, student employment is viewed as more than a job. Through structured onboarding, training and mentorship, student employees gain experience that extends beyond their day-to-day responsibilities. New team members participate in training opportunities designed to build confidence while developing skills in communication, teamwork and customer service.
As students gain experience, many take on leadership opportunities as student supervisors or become involved in Union initiatives, such as the Memorial Union Dining Student Leadership Council and the Wisconsin Union Student Employee Advisory Group. Through these experiences, students help shape workplace initiatives.
The program’s impact extends beyond skill development. Student employees are encouraged to participate in programs that help them reflect on and connect their work experiences to future career goals. Full-time staff members and managers play an active role in mentoring students to help them take their next big career steps and thrive in their Union jobs.
The results can be seen in employee engagement and retention. Between 2023 and 2024, average employee tenure increased by more than 50%, with student employees remaining in their roles for longer periods.
For many students, working in our dining and hospitality services becomes more than a campus job; it becomes an opportunity to build confidence, develop transferable professional skills and create connections that last beyond graduation.
Learn about our available student jobs and other Wisconsin Union roles at union.wisc.edu/jobs.
Retail Sales: Single Concept of the Year
The Retail Sales: Single Concept of the Year award recognizes Naan Stop South, a dining concept developed by our team to bring authentic Indian cuisine and expanded culinary options to Union South and campus.
From its earliest stages, the concept was shaped through collaboration. Wisconsin Union dining and hospitality staff partnered with students, including members of the India Student Association, to help inform everything from menu offerings to the concept’s visual identity. Together, they developed a distinctive color palette, typography and graphic elements that help create a welcoming and distinct dining experience.
The concept was designed to do more than serve food; it was created to foster a sense of place and celebrate Indian cuisine. Marketing efforts focused on showcasing the food through photography, digital displays and social media, allowing guests to experience the concept visually before placing an order.
Naan Stop South also expanded dining options for guests seeking vegetarian meals. In feedback gathered during the concept’s development, approximately half of India Student Association respondents identified as vegetarian. In response, the menu was designed to include a wide variety of flavorful vegetarian offerings along with meat-based dishes.
The community’s response has been strong. Since opening, Naan Stop South has attracted new guests, expanded dining choice at Union South and significantly outperformed the concept it replaced.
The award recognizes not only a successful dining concept but also the collaboration, creativity and community input that helped bring it to life.
Learn more about Naan Stop South here.
Dining Experiences for a Lifetime
While each award recognizes a different area of excellence, together they reflect something that has long been at the heart of the Wisconsin Union: creating experiences for a lifetime that bring people together.
Whether through a meal shared with friends and family, student employee mentorship, or a dining concept inspired by the voices of our campus community, the Wisconsin Union dining and hospitality team‘s work helps shape community-building, meaningful connections and experiences that stay with people long after a meal is over. These national honors recognize that impact and the talented people who make it all possible every day.
