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Around the Campus

Amols Retiring from Testory to Lead Dining and

Murray State Culinary Services at UW-Madison

aula Amols, director of Dining Ser- he University of Wisconsin-Madison recently named
Pvices at Murray State University in TPeter Testory as director of Dining and Culinary Ser-
Kentucky, has announced her retirement. vices at its Division of University Housing.
Prior to coming to UW-Madison, Testory served for four
years as assistant director of support and culinary operations
at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., where he
oversaw all residential culinary operations, catering, retail
outlets, food preparation and menu management. He also
worked for almost ten years at the University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign, serving as a production chef and a
variety of other positions. Testory
“From a very early age I knew that the restaurant industry
was my calling,” said Testory. “To me, food has always represented a sense of
family and enjoyment and a great way to bring everyone together.”
Amols
At UW-Madison, he oversees a dining and catering operation with an annual
Amols has been with Murray State operating budget of $28 million, and one that employs approximately 130 full-
for five years, after spending 23 years time staff, including 45 managers and 1,100 student staff. “The dining program
with Cornell University. She has said here at UW-Madison had a very solid foundation, fantastic infrastructure and a
that the director “provides a vision for great team already in place,” he said. “I’m excited about being a part of such a
where they would like to see dining great organization.”
services go and follow through with A unique aspect of the UW-Madison dining program that Testory inherits is
these plans and make them happen.” its entirely a la carte structure, which does not require students to have a meal
Terri Benton, assistant director of plan, unlike most other schools. “Our structure is our biggest challenge and also
Dining Services, said Amols has done our greatest opportunity,” he said. “We have to compete for business just like
just that. “We have enjoyed having her,” every other foodservice operation does around campus, and it challenges every
Benton said. “She really listens to the person within our department to continually find new and inventive ways to entice
students and really hears what they students and grow our business.”
have to say.” As Testory settles into the new role, he sees great things ahead. “There is not
During her retirement, Amols said much more a new director could possibly ask for in a new opportunity. And get-
she plans to go back to her hometown ting to move to Madison was the icing on the cake. It’s a great food town, and it’s
of Ithaca, N.Y., to be back with her an honor to be back in the Big Ten.”
friends and family. She said she plans
to buy “a fixer-upper” house to give
her something to make her own and UMass Dining App Wins Mobile Web Award
to continue volunteering with a local
no-kill shelter at which she has volun-
teered previously. Mass Dining at the University of Massachusetts
She said her favorite events hosted UAmherst received a Mobile Web Award for Out-
during her career at Murray State were standing Achievement
the Harvest Dinner and the Chinese New in Mobile Development
Year celebration, and hopes that these 2016 from the Web
two events will continue to grow on Marketing Association
campus. during an international
“We wish Paula the best in her re- competition that rec-
tirement,” said Emily Asher, manager ognizes excellence in
of data and communications for Dining design of apps and web presence.
Services and Racer Hospitality. “While Available for free downloading from the Apple
she will no doubt be missed by our staff App Store and Google Play Store, the UMass
and many others on campus, I know Dining app makes it simple to access favorite
she is excited about her new chapter.” campus dining locations with daily menus, nutri-
Amols said she is optimistic on how ent analysis, operating hours, real-time traffic
she is leaving the staff at Murray State, reports, special offers and other information.
and hopes that they will continue in a App users can also receive notifications and
positive direction. special offers from nearby UMass Dining loca-
“She has had a significant impact on tions using Beacon technology, and get directions
the university, and her leadership has to any UMass Dining location. Other features
helped the dining program grow here allow users to mark favorite dining locations for
at MSU,” Asher said. quick accessibility, plan menus, choose dietary

6 | MARCH 2017 ON-CAMPUS HOSPITALITY