Kelvin Tarukwasha

With over 4,000 students and a constant flow of outside visitors, it is crucial for Sodexho, the food service provider at Lee University, to run smoothly. Kelvin Tarukwasha is a big part of the hardworking team that makes this all possible.

Kelvin came to Lee from Zimbabwe as a student in 1994 where he took on a job in the cafeteria’s dish room. After four years in that dish room he graduated with an accounting major and was approached by Sodexho with a job offer to work in management. Within a couple years of working with Sodexho he met Norma, whom he married in 2002. With the support of his wife and friends Kelvin worked his way up to his current position of operations manager, where his main role is to assist Mike Nagorka, general manager, in making sure that the day to day operations are up to the status quo.

“I really benefited from my mentors at Lee as an immigrant and as a young person,” Kelvin declared.

Having worked with Sodexho on about 14 other campuses, Kelvin proudly shares that he loves working on Lee’s the most. He felt that going from Lee to another university was a greater culture shock than coming from Africa to Lee. Kelvin loves the fact that people who work at Lee just want to make sure everyone succeeds as individuals and in groups.

“Everyone made me a part of their family,” reflected Kelvin on his time at Lee so far.

Living in Cleveland now with his wife and daughter he feels fortunate for the opportunity to stay here and work. With good friends all around him and his family at his side, Kelvin cheerfully helps to keep the cafeteria and other food services up and running.

Posted on - 3/03/08