Love On The Menu at The Food Court at Reber-Thomas

Love was once again on the menu at The Food Court at Reber-Thomas as speed dating returned, hosted by Liberty University Dining by Sodexo.

Speed dating is a lighthearted matchmaking game for eligible singles to meet a variety of potential new partners in short order.

Themed as "Find A Movie Kind Of Love," Liberty University students who signed up received movie-style tickets with their time and table number. Fortune cookie sized movie tickets with question prompts were also provided to help keep conversation flowing between the speed daters.

Liberty Dining started and hosted speed dating events in 2014 and every year until 2021, paused due to COVID restrictions.

“We brought speed dating back this year and had an amazing turn out,” said Marketing Manager Shelby Burton. “Sign-up started at 4 p.m. and all 360 slots were filled by 6 p.m.”

Liberty Dining gave out free carnations and bakery treats.

Executive Pastry Chef Cody Miilu and her team created “Here Comes the Bride” strawberry and cream cookies dipped in white chocolate; “If You're a Turtle, I'm a Turtle” turtle brownie bites; and “When Cherry met Sally” chocolate covered cherries.

Custom marquee-style photo booths flanked the dining hall where students could pose in front of “Lala Land” or “Crazy Rich Asian” movie posters.

“We knew the event would be popular, but we didn't expect a cheering section,” said Burton.

Burton said students waiting for their speed dating slot or providing moral support for their friends gathered to cheer on their friends.

“At the end of each round, they'd all break out in applause,” Burton said.

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Jennifer Toone Corrigan, In Toone Communication

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