Last spring, Dining Services asked Jim Bryant, graphic design adviser for the department of art, and graphic design students that were available over the summer to help propose a new design for Winslow Dining Hall. From this request, four students came together to develop a more student-friendly eating environment.
Justin Schuring, senior from Murray, was one of the student designers working on the remodel.
The team modeled the dining hall after a mall food court, giving the different food stations unique themes and titles, he said.
“We wanted it to represent the students and not just the University,” Schuring said.
The team spent the summer conducting several hours of research and brainstorming to develop a specific atmosphere for each station. He said each team member was involved in every decision.
Katie Fenton, recent graduate from Simpsonville, Ky., said the brainstorming was one of her favorite parts of working on the project.
“We all had a lot of fun researching,” she said. “You just don’t realize how much stuff is out there to influence you.”
The new food stations now vary as much as the food they serve, with inspiration for names and logos being drawn from history books and easily recognizable restaurants alike.
“We wanted to bring the essence of each food to Winslow,” Fenton said.
Being a recent graduate, Fenton said she has appreciated gaining real world experience from working on this project.
“This is something that not a lot of students get to do,” she said. “For most of the designers, this was their first time heading a project of this magnitude.”
She and the other designers say they plan to use this experience in their personal work portfolios.
Starr Carr, senior from Paducah, Ky., said she has been pleased to be a part of the project.
Unlike most of the design team, Carr was able to supervise and answer questions that arose during the building process.
“We could picture Winslow in our minds and it was great to see something that you envisioned come to life,” Carr said.
Winslow Dining Hall unveiled the newly remodeled food area last Sunday as students returned from Winter Break.
While not every designer has had the opportunity to see the finished product, students across campus have expressed excitement about the new look and change of atmosphere.
Enrique Walker, junior from Hopkinsville, Ky., said he is impressed with the changes the designers made to the dining hall.
“This new design just shows how Murray State is always trying to improve its facilities for the growing number of students,” he said.
Winslow Dining Hall is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with food being served to students from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information about Winslow Dining Hall, contact msu.dining@murraystate.edu.
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