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Around the Campus

Penn State’s Kukta Recognized Nashville Barbeque Gets
“Jacked Up” at Belmont and
onathan Kukta, director of Housing and Food
JServices at Penn State Hazleton, Penn State
Schuylkill, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, and Penn Lipscomb Universities
State Worthington Scranton, was recently rec-
ognized with the 2017 Outstanding Alumni tudents at two Nashville universities recently
Award at Penn State Schuylkill. Sgot the chance to try a new twist on a Southern
Presented by the Penn State Schuylkill favorite during special pop-up sampling events held
Alumni Society Board, the award is the highest on campus.
alumni honor given. It recognizes outstanding Lipscomb University and Belmont University, each
alumni “whose personal lives, professional with dining services operated by Sodexo, recently
achievements and community service exemplify hosted “You Don’t Know Jack” events, which featured
the objectives of their alma mater,” according classic barbeque dishes infused with a surprising
to Patricia Troy Shoener, alumni relations and stewardship officer ingredient — jackfruit.
at Penn State Schuylkill.
Kukta, who also serves as an adjunct instructor in hospitality
management at Penn State Berks and in business administration
at Penn State Schuylkill, was recognized in a nomination from a
colleague as an exemplary leader: “Jonathan Kukta’s commitment
and dedication to faculty, staff and students at four campuses has
created a wonderful work environment that fosters respect, diversity
and inclusion. He leads by example, showing how to maintain high
standards of excellence both personally and professionally.”
“We are excited to recognize Jonathan Kukta as a recipient of
the 2017 Penn State Schuylkill Outstanding Alumni Award,” said
Schuylkill Campus Chancellor Kelly Austin. “This recognition stands
testament to Jonathan’s exemplary achievements in both his profes-
sional and personal lives, as well as his ongoing commitment to
Penn State Schuylkill.”
Gail Hurley, associate vice president for Penn State Auxiliary
& Business Services, appreciates Kukta’s contributions both inside Jackfruit, an exotic fruit native to parts of southern
and outside of the classroom. “Any institution would be proud to and southeast Asia, is part of the fig, mulberry and
claim Jonathan as an alum, and Penn State is the lucky one to have breadfruit family. This nutrition-packed superfood
that honor. Jonathan is a tremendous ambassador for the univer- is an excellent source of vitamin B6, potassium and
sity. This award recognizes his ongoing loyalty and commitment vitamin C. It is one of the largest tree fruits in the
as a graduate who keeps giving back in above-and-beyond ways world, weighing up to 80 pounds. At the “You Don’t
to Penn State Schuylkill. Those of us who have the opportunity to Know Jack” events, which were playfully named to
work with Jonathan in Housing and Food Services could not be call students’ attention to a fruit most are unfamiliar
more thrilled for him.” with, jackfruit was creatively incorporated into tradi-
Beginning his Penn State career in 2002, Kukta has received tional pulled pork barbeque sandwiches to enhance
numerous recognitions, including the 2012 Finance and Business their flavor and nutritional value.
Mentorship Award and the 2010 Finance and Business Leadership Lisa Feldman, director of culinary services for
Award. In 2015, under his leadership, the Housing and Food Ser- Sodexo, hand-crafted a tasting menu to test the popu-
vices unit at Penn State Hazleton was recognized by the Student larity of the little-known superfood that packs a big
Government Association with the Service to Students Award for nutrient punch.
enriching the lives of students at Penn State Hazleton.
“Jonathan is one of our star players within the Penn State Housing
and Food Services management team,” says Chris Hurley, senior
director of Housing and Food Services Commonwealth Campuses
and Culinary Support Services. “He has done so much to advocate
for improving the Food Services operations at the Schuylkill Campus
that serves students, faculty and staff. This award is truly fitting to
recognize that commitment.”
“I am truly honored and humbled to have been selected as one
of the 2017 Penn State Schuylkill Outstanding Alumni,” said Kukta,
who graduated from Penn State in 2000. “I join a group of many
outstanding business and community leaders who have received this
award before me. It is so rewarding to serve my alma mater as an
employee and to be part of the growth of a campus that has enabled
hundreds of students to achieve their dream of a Penn State degree.”

6 | APRIL 2017 ON-CAMPUS HOSPITALITY