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After months of extensive renovation work, the new and improved Terrace Dining Room (TDR) held its grand reopening on Tuesday, October 1 with grand fanfare, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by American University students, leaders, and celebrity chef Jet Tila. The total renovation of TDR – its first in almost 40 years – was the culmination of years of planning and a flurry of work completed during the past summer.   

“The transformation of TDR was much more than a renovation; it was a collaborative effort by our dedicated team, vendor and campus partners to elevate the student experience. We aimed to create a modern, welcoming space that offers diverse dining options to suit a broad range of tastes and dietary preferences, and I believe we've achieved that,” said Bronté Burleigh-Jones, CFO, Vice President, and Treasurer of American University.   

Assistant Vice President for Campus Auxiliaries and Airlie Mike Scher added, “Transformative renovations like this are only possible through strong collaboration. This achievement is a testament to the incredible partnership we have with Chartwells, along with the support of our campus partners in Student Affairs, Facilities Maintenance, Planning and Project Management, Communications, Marketing, and many others.” 

Designed to align more closely with a food hall-style of cuisine delivery, the preparation of meals has come out from behind the scenes, as action stations allow diners to interact more directly with the culinary team. Community members also have a vast variety of foods and preparations from which to choose.   

“In my career in this industry, I’ve seen few facilities prioritize making dining as accessible and inclusive for such a large portion of the campus community as this renovation does,” said Ann Marie Powell, AU’s Sr. Director of Dining and Auxiliary Services. 

A tour of the TDR food stations makes it apparent that there really is something for everyone. International students longing for a taste of home and others wishing to sample diverse flavors and authentic recipes inspired from around the world can go to the United Table. The Nook is ideal for early morning breakfasts. Elsewhere, The Rotisserie offers customizable, made-to-order sandwiches, burgers, and sides, as well as plant-based options. The Grill offers customizable fare such as freshly grilled burgers, chicken, pea protein-based sausages, and veggie burgers, while the deli offers premium ingredients sliced in-house and locally sourced produce for made-to-order sandwiches. Bowl Life features diverse flavors and recipes, while Rooted focuses on wholesome and minimally processed food aimed at vegans and non-vegans. Visitors also can opt for pastas and pizzas that are made in stone ovens. And if it’s dessert you crave, The Sweet Shoppe offers cookies, brownies, and freshly-baked breakfast pastries. 

“The new TDR allows us to serve all AU students more effectively and equitably by incorporating best practices in eatery design to meet allergen-friendly, special dietary, and religious needs,” added Powell. 

Complimenting the new food hall-style of cuisine delivery and vast menu options is the renovated venue itself. Visitors walk into TDR through one of two entry points featuring new, automated turnstiles that make getting in quicker and easier. Now adorned in AU colors, TDR also features new furniture that was selected based on community input from last fall’s Panera furniture pilot project. Community members have the option of sitting in booths, high-top tables, and family-style tables meant for groups of people to eat, study, and spend time together. 

For meal plan holders on the go, TDR now offers a new TDR to-go program, supported by AU’s partnership with Grubhub. Meal plan holders simply download the Grubhub app on their mobile device, sign up, select from the TDR to Go menu, and place their order for pick up from digital lockers at the TDR entrance.    

“As a three-time graduate of AU, being part of this project holds special meaning for me,” said Scher. “In my nearly 20 years at AU, I’ve shared many meals and memories in TDR, so it’s been an incredible privilege to lead a team of exceptional professionals in designing and executing this long overdue renovation. We’ve created a space that will continue to serve future generations of Eagles, just as it has for me and so many others.”