A Seasoned Perspective of Centenary's Cafeteria

As I survey the expanse of Centenary University’s dining hall, my college journey colorfully unravels before me, painted across the familiar canvas of yellow and maroon walls.

Through vast windows, the campus stretches out—a backdrop to the countless pathways I’ve chosen over the years. The scent of oil and grease mingles with the fragrance of cherished yesterdays. High ceilings, decorated with black metal air ducts, cradle memories as gently as a cool, air-conditioned breeze.

A circular brick oven and a bustling snack area stand as monuments to shared meals, late-night cravings, and midnight snacks. Nearby, in a compact campus store housing  college sweatshirts, remains a testament of the Seay building’s campus store that I recall.

Diner-style blue booths, silent eavesdroppers to laughter and the shared secrets my friends and I entrusted in each other, anticipate the resurgence of quintessential girlhood rituals—exchanging gossip and engaging in soul-baring heart-to-hearts. 

In just a short year, our stories will merge into the tapestry of memories, concealed within the hushed whispers of the vintage blue “Centenary College” signs that seamlessly camouflage with the extending walls.

While the rest of the cafeteria enjoys a moment of tranquility, the staff moves with the precision of choreographed dancers, their routines seamlessly etched into the rhythm of this place—a dance I’ve come to value, much like their familiar faces.

Above the food stations, bright screens display Centenary advertisements, offering glimpses of the meals in the weeks to come, while two TVs in the dining area replay a baseball game. Perhaps these screens are recent additions or simply ones I’ve overlooked until now—a reminder of moments missed while collecting souvenirs abroad and a reflection on how I could have more mindfully treasured the abundance of minutes that once lay ahead.

In this timeless cafeteria, where the backdrop remains untouched, I’ve witnessed the kaleidoscope of my college life, from shared meals with my freshman-year roommate to intense study sessions with peers and the camaraderie of my field hockey team. Each booth, floor tile, and aroma carries a chapter of my journey.

Now, in a brief moment of respite, unfamiliar underclassmen navigate the cafeteria’s stations and booths, weaving new stories. Though we are strangers at different points in our college journey, I offer my best wishes for the memories they’ll create, hoping they’ll savor the present a little more than I did before they eagerly anticipate moments yet to come.

At the cafeteria, Eve Foote and her friends have coined the term "family dinner" for their routine dinners together. (Photo by Eve Foote)