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

The Retailing Management course with Jaylen Brown and Joel Kamm MBA’12 outside their pop-up event.
Hands-On, All-In: Babson’s Retailing Management Students Create Unforgettable Pop-Up Experience The Retailing Management class, composed of mostly fourth-year students, brought experiential learning to life, executing a campus pop-up event with Jaylen Brown’s 741 Performance brand, culminating in all they’ve learned at Babson.
By
Melissa Savignano
Writer
Melissa Savignano
Melissa Savignano, a content marketing manager at Babson College, has worked in higher education for almost a decade, where she tells authentic, compelling campus and community stories. Before Babson, she managed communications for Boston University’s largest college, the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. She previously worked in client relations, helping brands of various sizes launch content marketing strategies and storytelling initiatives. When not at work, you will find her in the city of Boston, probably at the movie theater.
December 8, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership

Babson college students in an improvisational comedy club.
From Stage to Startup: This Improv Group Prepares Babson Students for Boardroom Success  Students Against Gravity, Babson’s long-running improvisational comedy group, blends creativity and business insight, teaching students how to adapt, collaborate, and communicate under pressure.
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.
December 4, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership

Ahmed Ahmed poses for a portrait photo
Five Things to Know About Ahmed Ahmed, One of Poets & Quants’ Best Undergraduate Professors Ahmed Ahmed, who was named to Poets & Quants’ list of 50 Best Undergraduate Business Professors of 2025, shares some fun facts, including his childhood ambitions and his passion for underdog soccer teams.
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.
December 3, 2025

Posted in Community, Outcomes