TMDR Undergoes Summer “Glow Up”

This fall, students will notice some changes to the Thomas More Dining Room in Massman Hall. Emphasis on the “More.”

The campus dining hall is getting a complete remodel this summer, aimed not only at expanding the space to accommodate more diners during peak times, but to expand the available options for students, faculty and staff.

“This is a complete gut and replacement of our dining hall,” said Mark Hetzler, associate vice president for student development. “It’s not just about space — it’s about providing some more options and features for students and our other diners.”

The first of this two-phase remodel will focus on expanding the TMDR’s kitchen area and a revamp of the dining area itself with a design shaped by student feedback. Hetzler said the furnishings will be replaced, stations will be relocated, and new stations added with additional vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian and other specialty options. The salad and deli bar will be expanded. And, he said, Rockhurst Dining Services will incorporate an idea from the Rock Room with a dining station that will revolve monthly based on student input, starting with the Melt Lab, a specialty grilled cheese concept. Hetzler said the campus community can see shots of the space’s progress on the Rockhurst Dining social media pages.

As important as what’s in the new space is who will be able to eat there. As part of the renovation, the walls between the main dining room and the fishbowl will be removed, resulting in a larger contiguous dining space. That’s important, Hetzler said, as the University prepares for students from Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences when the college officially moves to the University campus upon the completion of the Sedgwick Hall renovation. Taken together, it’s the most significant upgrade to the space since 2014.

“It’ll be completely different from the student perspective,” said Jason Riordan, ’05, associate vice president of facilities operations.

Additionally, Riordan said the Rockhurst Dining Services offices will be relocated to the fishbowl area, along with the hydroponic garden for fresh herbs and salads greens installed in spring 2020, giving those who like to watch their food grow in real-time a front row seat.

Riordan said the work represents phase one of a two-phase project. The second, which is scheduled for summer 2022, will address back-of-house needs and a renovation of the Einstein Bros. Bagels in Massman Hall.