2008 Woodie Awards
Dining Services director leaves behind legacy of innovation
Soni Kumar
Issue date: 6/25/08 Section: News
For the past eight years, students used paper napkins for something besides wiping their mouths with. Instead, students used the napkins to write their comments about Dining Services and posted them on Bill's Napkin Suggestion Board in Center Court.
After June 27, Dining Services Director Bill Canney won't be able to read those napkins. Canney has decided to leave SIUE for another postion at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Canney arrived at SIUE in May of 2000, ready to turn the unorganized food and dining program into a more functional one.
"Under Canney's guidance, the quality of food and service in the university changed dramatically.
"The first project and challenge I had was to convert a hot dog cart in the Alumni (and) Founders buildings into something more than just a cart," Canney said. "I converted (that) vending and storage room into Skywalk Food Court."
Besides creating the Skywalk Food Court, Canney implemented a host of new options for SIUE to try while completely renovating the menu.
"Before I came here there was no grill area," Canney said. "I implemented the grill and the cook-to-order items. There was a deli area but no panini."
In addition to introducing the panini to students on campus, Canney also created the noodle and pasta area. Canney said he is a big believer in quality and freshness, striving for good food and excellent customer service.
"I believe in improving the ambiance into a retail restaurant type atmosphere and improve the perception of freshness," Canney said. "I created the cook-to-order to improve the quality of food, which is one of major changes I implemented when I came here."
Canney also introduced the "healthier lifestyle program" which consisted of sugar free cakes, cookies and ice cream. He also implemented the use of 0 trans fat oils in all cooking done in the university.
"I am an innovator of change, and I go with the flow of what the customer wants as much as possible," Canney said.
After June 27, Dining Services Director Bill Canney won't be able to read those napkins. Canney has decided to leave SIUE for another postion at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Canney arrived at SIUE in May of 2000, ready to turn the unorganized food and dining program into a more functional one.
"Under Canney's guidance, the quality of food and service in the university changed dramatically.
"The first project and challenge I had was to convert a hot dog cart in the Alumni (and) Founders buildings into something more than just a cart," Canney said. "I converted (that) vending and storage room into Skywalk Food Court."
Besides creating the Skywalk Food Court, Canney implemented a host of new options for SIUE to try while completely renovating the menu.
"Before I came here there was no grill area," Canney said. "I implemented the grill and the cook-to-order items. There was a deli area but no panini."
In addition to introducing the panini to students on campus, Canney also created the noodle and pasta area. Canney said he is a big believer in quality and freshness, striving for good food and excellent customer service.
"I believe in improving the ambiance into a retail restaurant type atmosphere and improve the perception of freshness," Canney said. "I created the cook-to-order to improve the quality of food, which is one of major changes I implemented when I came here."
Canney also introduced the "healthier lifestyle program" which consisted of sugar free cakes, cookies and ice cream. He also implemented the use of 0 trans fat oils in all cooking done in the university.
"I am an innovator of change, and I go with the flow of what the customer wants as much as possible," Canney said.
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