Samford University publicly opened a refurbished demonstration kitchen for its nutrition and dietetics program Oct. 19 with a ceremony honoring Alabama Gas Corporation (Alagasco), a major contributor to the project.

The updated kitchen replaces equipment that dated to the 1970s and will serve more than 70 majors, according to Patricia H. Terry, professor and program director. 

“This is much more functional space for our students and faculty as we interact, cook and work,” Terry told a group that included Alagasco President Dudley Reynolds and James E. Robinson, Alagasco’s national manager for commercial food service.Robinson was instrumental in securing the equipment and funding for Alagasco’s participation in the refurbishment.

“I saw the space before the remodeling, and to see it now is very exciting,” Reynolds said.  “Alagasco has a long time partnership with Samford, and we are pleased that we could be part of this important project.”

Samford President Andrew Westmoreland echoed Terry’s appreciation to Alagasco.  “Thank you for your gifts and support of this and other Samford projects.  Your company sets the standard for community partnerships.”

Terry noted that Alagasco’s funding provided equipment that is “top of the line” and already has been used as a recruiting tool for prospective students for the program.

Phyllis Hoffman, CEO of Birmingham-based Hoffman Media, assisted Terry and other Samford administrators in securing gifts of materials and equipment from several companies that were used in the refurbishing.  The estate of the late Joseph and Doris Terry of Birmingham also provided funding for the project.

The demonstration kitchen is located in the Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies building on the Samford campus.  The nutrition and dietetics program is part of the department of exercise science and sports medicine.

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