Serving Up Smiles With Cheryl
A cheerful Cheryl Elmendorf in the Marist dining hall. Photo Credit: Emma Denes '25.
When hungry college students trample into the Marist Dining Hall, many line up at the omelet station. There, they receive a big smile from Cheryl Elmendorf, a cook at the dining hall. Best described as one of Marist College's local celebrities, Elmendorf is famous for her radiant energy that brightens up people’s days.
After being hired on the spot, Elmendorf, age 57, began her journey with Marist Dining Services in September of 2016. From there, she did a little bit of everything, working the deli station, the grill, the pizza and pasta counter and now the omelet station. "I've worked at a deli in the past where I just did egg sandwiches, but this is my first time doing omelets for over maybe 300 students," Elmendorf said.
Elmendorf’s job is not as independent as it may appear; rather, it's a team effort. Oftentimes, when students come rushing in, the amount of eggs cooking on the griddle at one time can get hectic, but students help her out by identifying the owner of each omelet. Her station has become very popular, which genuinely surprised her. "I did not expect it to be as big as it is this year," she said.
To Elmendorf, her job is less about preparing food and more about spreading happiness. She finds passion and purpose in connecting with her collegiate customers on a daily basis.
"My motivation is really to you students…knowing that I can get up and give someone a proper breakfast, and they walk away with a smile," she said.
Campus Executive Chef Jonathan Bohn considers Elmendorf a valuable member of the culinary team. "Cheryl has a very special way with our students. The way she takes pride in serving each of them that comes to her station is unique,” he said. “What's best is she knows most of the students' names and orders before they arrive at her station.”
Beginning each day with daily confirmations and prayer, Elmendorf wishes contentment unto others while also comforting students going through a tough time. "[When] someone's having a bad day, I'll push them through. I say, ' I get it. It's okay. Everything will be alright,’ " she said.
Besides Elmendorf’s ability to spread cheer, she loves to make those around her laugh. One Christmas season, she used the power of music to bring people together. "I got out there, and I had everybody doing ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas.’ I had bought this microphone, and we passed it around and I wore my gingerbread hat,” she said. “We just had a ball out in the dining hall."
And if it's your special day, Elmendorf will make sure you don't forget it. "If they let me know whose birthday it is, I'll give a big shout out in the dining hall and everybody will clap and cheer and the person's face [will] be as red as my shirt," she said.
"I am most proud of how much she cares about the emotional and physical wellbeing of our students. Each one of the students she serves is one of her 'kids,' and she wants each of them to have a wonderful morning. Cheryl always tries to pay it forward," Bohn said.
Joey Daniele '23 is one of those 'kids.’ "I like how friendly and open she is. She'll just come up to me and give me a hug," he said. One time, he discovered that Elmendorf likes brownies with walnuts, so he brought her some. "She was super happy about that,” Daniele recalled.
"You think it's just eggs, but it's not. You make people feel safe, warm, loved and better. And your energy affects people," Robin Diller Torres, the Assistant Dean of Student Engagement and Leadership, told a tearful Elmendorf.
Elmendorf expressed that she doesn’t enjoy being in the spotlight, but her kindhearted spirit always shines through. "That's what really makes me proud, to be of service to another human being and to make a difference in their life,” she said. “No matter how big or how small it is."