Babson Dining Earns Loyal E. Horton Dining Award for Special Event Catering

Listen

Babson College Dining was honored recently with a prestigious Loyal E. Horton Dining Award by the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS). 

Babson was recognized with a Silver Medal Award for excellence in the Catering Special Event of the Year category for its Celebrate & ELevate event last October. The event served as a celebration of gratitude for the Babson community’s collective efforts in surpassing the $500 million milestone in the Centennial Campaign and unveiled a new goal of $750 million with the rebranded Babson ELevates campaign

Overview photo of the Elevates event space
(Photo: Nic Czarnecki/Babson College)

“Winning this prestigious award for our catering services underscores the collaborative spirit that defines our campus community,” said John Pagano, resident district manager of Babson College Dining, operated by Chartwells Higher Education. “From leadership, Advancement, Facilities, to College Marketing, and more, this award shines a spotlight on the commitment to excellence which permeates throughout our institution. Babson College Dining is proud to further bolster the College’s reputation as a top-tier institution.” 

The event transformed the Len Green Recreation and Athletics Complex, and Babson College Dining’s catering team, led by Campus Executive Chef Dennis Williams, curated a vibrant and diverse tapas-style menu and sustainably sourced proteins and produce from hyper-local and ethical purveyors. 

The Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards, presented by the NACUFS, is the ultimate professional honor in college and university culinary arts, celebrating exemplary menus, presentations, special event planning, and new dining concepts. 

Babson College Dining will be recognized and presented with its award at the NACUFS 2024 National Conference in July in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Posted in Babson Briefs

More from Babson Briefs »

Latest Stories

Andrew “Zach” Zacharakis applauds while sitting at a table during a BCERC dinner
Honoring Andrew ‘Zach’ Zacharakis for 20 Years as BCERC Director As the 45th annual entrepreneurship research conference returns to Babson’s campus, BCERC pays tribute to Professor Andrew “Zach” Zacharakis for two decades of service. Zacharakis shares reflections of BCERC and its impact.
By
Eric Beato
Editor / Writer
Eric Beato
Eric Beato is the Editor of Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. A native of Chicago and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Eric has worked as an editor and writer at newspapers across the country, including the Chicago Sun-Times and Boston Herald. Eric joined Babson College in 2019 after working as the communications director for a private educational travel company and as the managing editor of six regional sports publications.
June 16, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership

Public safety dog surrounded by students.
It’s All in the Name: Hero the Dog Brings Safety and Smiles to Babson Trained by the state police, Babson’s newest Public Safety dog comes with unique skills to boost campus safety and community engagement.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
June 12, 2025

Posted in Community

Runners pose for a photo on a rainy day at Babson
The 10K for Babson: A Rainy Run and a New Fundraising Record  Those running and walking in the 10K for Babson faced soggy conditions, but the annual event raised the most money in its history for the Melissa Shaak Student Emergency Fund.
By
John Crawford
Senior Journalist
John Crawford
A writer for Babson Thought & Action and the Babson Magazine, John Crawford has been telling the College’s entrepreneurial story for more than 15 years. Assignments for Babson have taken him from Rwanda to El Salvador, from the sweet-smelling factory of a Pennsylvania candy maker, to the stately Atlanta headquarters of an NFL owner, to the bustling office of a New York City fashion designer. Beyond his work for Babson, he has written articles and essays for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Notre Dame Magazine, The Good Men Project, and other publications. He can be found on Twitter, @crawfordwriter, where he tweets about climate change.
June 11, 2025

Posted in Community