The Muhlenberg Weekly

Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: News

There are numerous staff and faculty on campus that dedicate their time and effort to the students here on campus. Most recently, Sheyam Sine, a General's Quarters Supervisor, received the Circle of Customer Excellence award (COCE). Last February, Sine decided that students at the College needed something more than just bagel bombs on their Friday and Saturday late night menus. So, she presented the late night Middle Eastern Night in the GQ. "Sine and her team, who are all of Syrian descent, spent hours preparing falafel, shish kabob, humus, and tabbouleh," said Sue Flederbach.

The night also included a belly dancer and a Middle Eastern musician as performances for the students curious enough to try the new food. As Sine and others served up the unfamiliar food, they were dressed head to toe in Arabic robes complete with sashes, scarves and bangles.

Sine put forth a lot of effort for this event and paid attention to every last detail. In fact, it was this attention and dedication to giving the students such an authentic experience that won her the COCE award. "Sine was chosen for this award because she went over the top," said Flederbach. The COCE was given to Sine by Ernie Minor, the College's Regional Vice President for Sodexho.

This is the first annual award given in Minor's region for the COCE program, which is what makes it so special and honorable for Sine. Nominees for the COCE are selected by schools all across the region, and each month semi-finalists are chosen and rewarded.

In addition to last semester's Middle Eastern Night, Sine plans on having special Friday and Saturday nights all year long for the 2007-2008 academic year. She has already had an Ice Cream Sundae Night and last week served up some more chicken kabobs.

"I know she has more tricks up her sleeve! Sine is currently planning to make her authentic falafel and kabobs appear more regularly on the Saturday night GQ menu. More music and dancing are also in the works!" said Flederbach.

While last semester's event was the first of what Sine hopes to be many, that first event took her about three years to put into action. It is something she has a passion for; sharing her culture - and the cultures of with the entire campus.

She said, then, that it was up to the students to spread the word on getting support for and wanting to see more events like Middle Eastern Night take place, and it appears as though the message has been sent out loud and clear.

Sine has said that she has a lot of ideas stored up in her head, and this just may be the year we all get to experience them. Be on the lookout for advertisements in the GQ for more cultural nights being put on by Sine.

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