Liberty’s dining center wins national award for alien invasion-themed event

An out-of-this-world event at Liberty University’s Reber-Thomas Dining Center earned gold for Residential Special Event of the Year in the 2026 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards from the National Association for College & University Food Services.

The dining center hosted its Alien Invasion event as an end-of-the-year celebration in April 2025, transforming the space into an immersive extraterrestrial experience featuring flying saucers suspended from the ceiling, green and purple atmospheric lighting, alien-themed décor, caricature artists, balloon creations, temporary tattoos, and interactive activities. A highlight was guest performers in disguise as part of an Alien Masked Singer game; one notable contestant was Flames Football Head Coach Jamey Chadwell. The student dance group DTREX performed a surprise flash mob set to the theme song of the movie “Men in Black.”

“This award is a testament to the creativity, collaboration, and execution of our dining, culinary, and marketing teams in creating memorable experiences for our students,” said Sodexo District Marketer Shelby Stidham. “Alien Invasion is part of a long tradition of large-scale themed dining experiences held at Reber-Thomas each year.”

The menu for the event was “a full theme takeover,” Stidham said, with every station serving creative alien-inspired offerings such as liquid nitrogen Dippin’ Dots, green caramel apple dipping stations, grilled octopus, rotisserie goat, jellyfish salad, and a variety of galactic-themed desserts and beverages. The event attracted 2,383 students and 133 guests.

The dining center’s annual end-of-year celebration has previously included other themes based in pop culture, such as the “Survivor”-themed Rot Island in 2026, the summer camp-inspired Camp Rot in 2024, and Rotapalooza, a music festival-themed farewell event held in 2023 at the dining center predecessor, the Food Court at Reber-Thomas. To create such events, the facility often partners with student organizations, campus departments, and outside vendors to enhance the experience.

“What makes these events especially rewarding to organize is the opportunity to be creative and think beyond food,” Stidham said. “Our team develops the themes, marketing campaigns, activities, and menu concepts months in advance, always looking for ways to connect with student interests and create memorable moments. Seeing students engage with the experience is what makes the planning process worthwhile. These events help transform dining from a routine necessity into a meaningful part of the student experience and campus culture.”

“I am so proud of our dining team and their efforts to make our themed events such a memorable experience for our students,” Vice President of Auxiliary Services Louis Cambeletta added. “The creativity of the Sodexo marketing team is second to none, and the hard work they put into these events does not go unnoticed. I am looking forward to hoisting another award banner into the rafters of the Reber-Thomas Dining Center.”

In 2024, less than a year since its grand opening, the Reber-Thomas Dining Center won the Grand Prize for Residential Facility of the Year and New Facility of the Year. The center was recognized in 2025 by the American School & University Educational Interiors Showcase for Outstanding Design in the Cafeteria/Food Service Areas. Niche, a student ranking site for schools and colleges, lists Liberty Dining Services at A+ for Campus Food, No. 24 for Best College Food in America, and No. 3 for Best College Food in Virginia.

>>The Reber-Thomas Dining Center is a two-story, 120,000-square-foot all-you-care-to-eat buffet with over 20 unique stations to choose from and seating for more than 2,700. Liberty Dining Services offers over 20 dining locations on campus to suit students’ schedules, dining habits, special dietary needs, and tastes. Visit Liberty.edu/Dining.