Richard Curtis, general manager of Sodexo Food Services, has hired a student marketing coordinator in an attempt to utilize the resources Sodexo offers.”We have been trying to get a student marketing coordinator here for a long time,” Curtis said.

Sarah Thibodeaux, public relations senior from Raceland, took the job.

“I started out working in deli,” Thibodeaux said. “He just approached me one day and was like, ‘We’re opening this new position, and you impressed me in your first interview, and I was wondering if you wanted it.'”

Curtis said that he is excited about the opportunities students will have now that Thibodeaux has filled the position.

“We want to increase the number of people who come to the cafeteria, and we want to get the Sodexo name out,” Thibodeaux said.

Thibodeaux said that she recently organized The Great Pumpkin, during which students were invited to guess the weight of a large pumpkin at the entrance of the cafeteria.

“It was supposed to end on Nov. 29, but someone dropped the pumpkin, and it rotted,” Thibodeaux said. “Obviously, it’s going to end a little early.”

Thibodeaux said that she has the results, and she will contact the winner soon.

During Man vs. Food, students were challenged to eat large quantities of spaghetti, up to five pounds.

There’s No Taste Like Home is another promotion that will be held Nov.1 through Dec.15.

“We’re going to have recipes that are a spinoff of homemade foods like chicken pot pie,” Thibodeaux said. “It will be like the stuff that your mom makes.”

Thibodeaux said there will also be a recipe contest where students will be able to submit entries for a chance to be on the menu full time.

“Sodexo is a great company,” Thibodeaux said. “It’s global, and we do a lot for the community as well.”

Curtis said that Sodexo is doing an ongoing tour of North America, and he hopes to do a Mediterranean food concept soon.

“It’s to get people involved,” Curtis said. “We want the cafeteria to be a fun and enjoyable experience.”

Curtis said that as a company, Sodexo offers a significant amount of limited time offers the University has missed out on because of time constraints.

“Having Sarah in this position will be a great opportunity because the resources are out there,” Curtis said. “We just lack the time to do it all.”

“That’s the reason why this position is needed so much,” Curtis said. “I wish that she had come last year.