A Nicholls Dining employee was celebrated Thursday for winning a national award.

The “Thx 🙂 for Making My Day” award recognizes one frontline employee each month in Sodexo dining services around the country who goes above and beyond during their shift.

Nominations are made by students who see this positivity on a day-to-day basis.

Judy Fournier received the award for the month of October. Fournier, a two-year employee with Nicholls Dining, works the main line in the Vernon F. Galliano Dining Hall.

She was nominated for this award by Rodney Nolan, a junior dual-majoring in culinary arts and accounting.

Nolan nominated her for the award because Fournier is kind and joyful.

“She’s just always nice to me when I walk in,” Nolan said. “In fact, I even go visit her when I’m in the cafeteria simply because she always asks me how my day is, and then I’ll ask her in return, and we can actually have a conversation.”

Fournier found out about the award during a mock huddle-up with the employees of Nicholls Dining, when the CEO of Sodexo called in via video conference to tell Fournier and all of her co-workers that she won the award.

“At first, I couldn’t believe I was chosen,” Fournier said. “I make sure I’m always nice to everyone who comes in my line.”

Janna Andras, marketing coordinator for Nicholls Dining, said that the team is lucky to have Fournier.

“I’m honored and very proud that she won this award,” Andras said. “I love that the students love to engage with her and they think that she can make them feel at-home.”

On Thursday, Nicholls Dining celebrated Fournier with “Mrs. Judy day”. Fournier was awarded the opportunity to pick the meal for lunch. She picked dragon fire chicken, chicken and sausage jambalaya, roasted zucchini and squash, and garlic breadsticks.

After lunch, family and co-workers gathered with Fournier to celebrate her award with cake, balloons and flowers.