Behind The Counter:
Jonathan Ray
By Steven Fletcher
Jon Ray, ’12 a Foreign Languages and secondary education major from Rhode Island never worked with any frequency before coming to Gordon College. Now, he dons a blue polo shirt with a tan hat, and takes a daily walk to the Lane Student center. He works everywhere in the cafeteria, preparing pizza, compiling sandwiches and fighting with the dishwasher.
This year marks the second year that Ray has worked for Lane Dining Services, and he maintains a positive opinion of the workplace. “It’s been good,” said Ray. “It’s a great place to start out, even for somebody who’s just looking to earn some money on campus and on a schedule that works around classes.” Dining services is primarily staffed by student workers, providing jobs from food preparation to pot-washing, and every hour from six in the morning to eleven at night. Ray worked for most of his freshman year and doesn’t remember a time when the cafeteria was just a place for eating.
“There’s a lot more going on at Lane than just food service,” said Ray. “There’s interaction with other workers and the chefs.” Working in dining services provides the opportunity to grow in his ability to work with other people - and learn a bit about cooking.
“I did absolutely no cooking whatsoever before coming to Gordon,” said Ray. “ I’ve made mistakes, some more momentous than others, but its great because when I go home, I can make a pizza.” Working with “people who actually know what they’re doing”, as Ray puts it, has helped him in learning, and he describes his experience as “positive enough.”
“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Ray, “but, you make mistakes, and then you own up to them, like catching the grill on fire.”
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