A veteran food service professional who advanced leading-edge, sustainable food service operations at Unity College Lorey Duprey, has been named Director of Dining Services. Most recently Duprey was the Dining Manager at the College, supervising front and back of house dining operations, ensuring safety and sanitation. She provided payroll, daily delegation, and leadership for employee performance.

Her service at Unity College began in 1999, when she began as Production Manager, a position she held until 2006. From 2006 to 2011, she served as the Assistant Dining Manager, developing staff training, menus, cooking as needed, and procuring products, including locally sourced foods.

Duprey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Maine, Augusta; an Associate of Science in Business Management/Marketing from Kennebec Valley Community College; and is a candidate for a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration on leadership from Saint Joseph’s College.

In her new role as Director of Dining Services at Unity College, Duprey will bring an extensive range of food services experience and help guide a food service operation that is closely tied to the sustainable practices and values that define all aspects of the College.

Over the 14 years that Duprey has served at Unity, dining services has become more sustainable and there have been a number of creative programs initiated, including the College becoming the first institutional customer for MOOMilk, Maine’s Own Organic Milk which Duprey helped organize. In addition, she works collaboratively with local farmers and venders to ensure that the College dining services consistently offers a higher percentage of products from local sources, closing the food loop and ensuring greater overall sustainability.

“Lorey is a dedicated employee who has worked hard to improve herself through education and networking in a fast-paced college food service environment,” noted Sandy Donahue, outgoing Unity College Dining Services Director. “She is an innovative manager who understands the importance of sustainability within dining. Lorey is responsible for procuring local products, and has developed good rapport with local farmers. Her talents and knowledge heighten customer satisfaction especially with theme meals that connect students to local Maine foods and history.”

This month Duprey will participate in the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS), Nestlè Professional Customer Innovation Campus, 2013 Leadership Institute in Solon, Ohio.

“It is a privilege to be accepted to the NACUFS Leadership Institute,” Duprey noted. “I have learned a great deal from past institutes that I attended and came back with many tools that I use every day. I look forward to learning and exploring more about who I am and who I want to be as a leader.”

Gary Zane, Vice President for Student Affairs, praised her achievements and potential.

“Lorey is an exceptional employee with leadership skills on every level,” noted Zane. “The institute will allow her to further her experience by focusing her leadership style.”

Founded in 1958, the NACUFS is the professional trade association for food service professionals at institutions of higher education in the United States, Canada, and abroad. The mission of NACUFS is to foster exceptional campus dining programs through a passion for food and by leadership in education, professional development, networking, information exchange, and innovation in a culture of volunteerism.

In recent years Unity College has gained national attention for a variety of achievements including its focus on sustainability science, the leading-edge of 21st century ecological problem solving and the vanguard in the fight for the mitigation of global climate change; its ground-breaking “green” innovations such as the award-winning TerraHaus, the first student residence on a college or university campus built to the Passive House standard, the most energy efficient building standard in the world; and for being the first college in the United States to divest from investments in fossil fuels, igniting a growing national movement in higher education.

Unity College is a private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education which emphasizes the environment and natural resources. Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community.