Assumption University Officially Re-Opens Renovated Taylor Dining Hall
On August 23rd, the newly renovated Taylor Dining Hall was officially unveiled to a crowd of students, families, faculty, and staff to celebrate its official re-opening. As they cut the ceremonial ribbon, President Greg Weiner, Student Government Association (SGA) President Sofia Bruno ’26, Alex Dumais ’24, and Aramark Regional Executive Chef Ben Maiorano welcomed the community to enjoy the new gathering space.
In March, the University announced over $1 million would be dedicated to renovating and rebranding Taylor Dining Hall as a part of its new partnership with Aramark Collegiate Hospitality.
“We talk about seeking and pursuing truth in the company of friends, and a very important part of that is breaking bread together as a community,” said President Weiner. “This dining hall is designed for community. It’s designed to bring us closer together, to give us more space together, and certainly to give us better food together.”
SGA President Bruno thanked President Weiner for listening to student voices and helping to make the dining hall renovation a reality.
“I know I speak for all of us students when I say that we are extremely grateful for this institution and President Weiner for deeply valuing our opinions,” said Bruno. “It really means a lot to us that he truly cares about what we want to see and makes it happen. Thank you to all our students who spoke up and advocated for this change, and to President Weiner for making it happen. He makes this campus a place where everyone wants to be.”
“I think it is going to make a wonderful difference for the life of this campus, for the education on this campus, and for the culture of student feedback and leadership on this campus,” said President Weiner.
Chef Maiorano spoke about the partnership between Aramark and Assumption, noting how the two worked closely together to create an enhanced dining experience for the community.
Maiorano also spoke to the crowd about some of the new features in Taylor Dining Hall, including a hydroponic garden with micro greens and lettuces and a brand-new smoothie station with top-of-the-line technology. Additionally, Maiorano announced new sustainability initiatives, including a partnership with Black Earth Compost so all food waste, plates, silverware, and cups are compostable and will be composted and used in landscaping on campus, and a Coolfood partnership program that denotes food that is locally grown, sustainable, and good for the environment.
Students, families, faculty, and staff were then welcomed inside Taylor Dining Hall to officially see the renovations and try out the deli and salad bar for the first time. A barbecue was also offered outside Taylor in celebration of first-year move in, and students and families were invited to sit inside the dining hall to eat. The first full meal was officially served at dinner on August 23.
To view more information about Assumption University’s dining options, hours, and the renovated Taylor Dining Hall, visit the official Assumption Hospitality web page here.