Little-Known Facts About the KC

By Dale Thompson

Echo File Photo

OLIVET, Mich. – The University of Olivet’s Kirk Center is the university’s central food station, where students and faculty members go to eat their meals for the day. It’s a place to eat, socialize, and relax in-between classes. Despite being well-known in the community of Olivet, there are many things that most people wouldn’t know about the KC, from dietary accommodations to ordering items that are “off-menu”.           

First off, the KC is open for students, staff, and even members of the general public to come and eat. While not every student or staff member utilizes the KC for their meals, a good amount of people eat there on a regular, if not daily, basis. According to Ed Castle, one of the cashiers that works at the KC, on average, lunch usually brings in around 200-230 people a day, and for dinner, around 190-225 people come in daily.            

The Kirk Center has many different options for meals, such as salads, chicken dishes, and various desserts, but what some people in the community might not know is that the chefs are also accommodating to various allergies, intolerances, and diseases.

“They usually have an option for everybody.” junior Thomas Christie said.

For example, for people that either prefer or need to eat gluten-free, the KC has an entire section reserved for gluten-free items. In addition, if you walk up and tell a chef that you have a specific dietary need but want a specific food item, they will make your request safe for you to eat.

“We accommodate for every food intolerance and allergy possible. We are not a ‘nut-free’ facility, but we make every effort to eliminate cross-contamination, and we do not keep tree nuts on hand,” executive chef Richard Ball said. “We take great strides in preparing menus that accommodate athletes’ dietary needs.”           

Now, here’s a fact that most students, and even some faculty members don’t know: You can order a full pizza from the KC. Ball said that pizzas can be ordered by the slice, but they can also be offered in full.

“During our normal business hours, Monday through Friday [you can order pizza]. The more time we have to prepare the order, the better,” Ball said.            

Health is a huge priority for the workers when making the food, so that they can keep that balance between carbs and protein. They make food healthy for athletes as well as students.

“Our kitchen or ‘comfort’ station menu was developed with a protein/carb balance in mind,” Ball said, “We take great strides in preparing menus that accommodate athletes’ dietary needs.”

Overall, the Kirk Center remains a central hub for daily dining at The University of Olivet, serving hundreds of students, faculty, and community members each day. Staff emphasize food safety, health, and accessibility, offering options for a variety of dietary needs. With its broad menu and flexible service, the KC continues to play a steady role in campus life as a reliable space for meals and interaction.