The gift deepens the strong partnership between Elon and the company that provides healthy, locally sourced dining options for the campus community.
Elon’s commitment to the health and well-being of students, faculty and staff inspired Harvest Table Culinary Group to make a generous gift to the new HealthEU Center, which will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to thrive on campus and beyond.
“Our dining philosophy is rooted in the belief that food should nourish, energize and support long-term health, while celebrating flavor, culture and sustainability,” said Mary Thorton, founder and president of Harvest Table Culinary Group. “By supporting the HealthEU Center, we can continue advancing these values and create meaningful experiences that promote well-being.”
In recognition of the company’s gift, the demonstration kitchen and adjoining classroom on the third floor of the HealthEU Center will be named the Harvest Table Culinary Group Classroom and Kitchen. Teaching Kitchens encourage faculty, staff and student organizations to partner with Elon Dining’s chefs and dietitian to create enriching learning experiences while learning valuable skills concerning healthy eating and meal preparation.
“The Teaching Kitchen program we co-developed with Elon University is a hallmark of the Elon Dining experience and a source of great pride for us,” Thorton said. “Having a dedicated space within the HealthEU Center to host teaching kitchens will be transformative for this program.”
Harvest Table Culinary Group provides dining services for the entire campus community. The company focuses on chef-driven, authentic and locally sourced food that emphasizes clean ingredients, community connection and well-being through partnerships with local farms and chefs.
“Elon University is a founding partner of Harvest Table Culinary Group, and we are thrilled to have a long-term, collaborative relationship,” Thorton said. “Our shared values—student-centered learning, global engagement and experiential education—make this partnership truly special. We are deeply committed to the success of the Boldly Elon (strategic plan) and proud to support the university in every way possible.”
The HealthEU Center is a central component of Boldly Elon and the university’s broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.
Currently under construction, the center is located within Elon’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs, and scheduled to open in Fall 2026. Elon has set a $25 million fundraising goal to make the HealthEU Center a reality. To date, donors have contributed $23 million to the project.
“The Elon community is grateful to Harvest Table Culinary Group for their generous support of the HealthEU Center,” said Janet Williams, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer. “By providing healthy and nutritious meals to our campus, Harvest Table plays an essential role in our commitment to the health and well-being of students, faculty and staff.”
Make An Impact
Many naming opportunities remain in the HealthEU Center, beginning at $50,000. Gift commitments may be made in full or with a pledge over five years. To find out how you can make an impact with your gift, contact Brian Baker, associate vice president for university advancement, at 336.278.7453 or bbaker7@elon.edu.