Project Updates Dining and Servery Areas, Expands Campus Snack Bar, and Adds New Outdoor Seating
Blackburn College celebrated the completion of a two-year project to remodel its campus facilities, invest in the student experience and create a “best-in-class” dining operation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, August 14.
Completed in partnership with Fresh Ideas, the College’s dining services provider, the project transformed the dining hall and servery inside Schmidt Commons, expanded Blackburn’s snack bar, and added a new outdoor seating area. Work took place over two summers, with the final phase completed just before students returned to campus for the fall semester.
“The transformation of the Blackburn dining hall has been a two-year process and has truly been remarkable,” Blackburn College President Larry K. Lee said during the ceremony. “Two years ago, I was talking to Brian Ditmer, who is now president of Fresh Ideas, and I said, “Let’s build a remarkable dining operation that is truly best in class.” And he said, “We can do that.” Today represents just that.”
The first phase, completed in the summer of 2025, focused on the dining area. The space received new flooring, furniture, and seating options throughout. This summer, the servery received a complete remodel, opening up the food service area and adding new stations for live cooking and demonstrations. The project also extended the dining area outdoors with the addition of North Garden, a new seating area where students, faculty, staff, and community members can enjoy meals outside.
The two-year project also expanded the campus snack bar. The expanded space, which proudly serves Starbucks coffee, now features a dedicated seating area and an expanded food and beverage menu, and is open to students, employees, and community members. The snack bar was also renamed The Den, reviving the nickname Blackburn students gave the original campus student center that preceded the Demuzio Campus Center.
Lee credited the finished project to the relationship Blackburn has developed with Fresh Ideas and recognized Fresh Ideas General Manager Martin Porter during his remarks. Porter received one of Blackburn’s staff awards this past spring for his contributions to the College and its unique student work program, an honor determined by a vote of Blackburn employees.
Lee also emphasized the importance of Blackburn’s relationships with the Carlinville community. “Through the partnership with Fresh Ideas, we serve students, faculty, and staff, but also the community, which is well-represented here today,” he said. “Blackburn College needs a vibrant Carlinville, and Carlinville needs a thriving Blackburn College. Working together is really special.”
Representatives of Blackburn College, Fresh Ideas, and the Carlinville Chamber of Commerce joined together for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Lee marked the completion with a simple declaration:
“We are open!”