Higher ed dining leaders honored for outstanding service

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Three distinguished individuals were honored on Thursday by the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) for their outstanding service to the association. They were recognized during an awards breakfast at the NACUFS 2025 National Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

 

Ginnie Dunleavy, executive director of auxiliary services at Rhode Island School of Design, and treasurer of the NACUFS Board of Trustees, received the 2025 Richard Lichtenfelt Award. Selected by the association's chairperson, the award honors an individual who has provided outstanding contributions to NACUFS at the national level.

 

Matt Obergfell, non-commercial northeast business development manager at Hormel Foods, received the 2025 Daryl Van Hook Industry Award, which honors an industry member who has provided educational support, product innovation, and outstanding service to the association.

 

Mark Kraner, retired assistant vice president/executive director for campus retail operations at George Mason University, received the David R. Prentkowski Distinguished Lifetime Member Award. Nominated by peers and colleagues, the award honors retired leaders in the field who have supported the betterment of college and university foodservices.

David Annis, a trustee on the NACUFS Board of Trustees, nominated Kraner, noting Kraner has always been an early adopter of technology that, today, the industry takes for granted.

“Whether it was early POS (point-of-sale) systems, video boards, or later on, robot deployment on campus, Mark was always leading the industry into the future,” Annis said. “Most importantly, Mark has encouraged and mentored many in our NACUFS family over the years.”