Brandon Hendricks

Brandon Christopher Hendricks, Associate Director of Dining Services, says that nothing is more vital in our human experience than eating. Brandon proved just how true this is, and just how much food can affect our lives, during his service to this university last fall.

Over the course of the fall 2020 semester, Brandon organized the delivery of more than 18,500 meals to more than 1,100 unique students in isolation and quarantine. But Brandon didn’t just deliver meals to these students: he delivered sustenance, with all the comfort and love of a home-cooked meal. When there weren’t enough delivery staff to manage, Brandon himself was seen actually running between the dining center and the residence halls to get the meals to the students.

Brandon’s selflessness and compassion didn’t end there. When students didn’t place an order, Brandon located their previous submissions and placed orders on their behalf. When students couldn’t afford to add more to their dining funds, Brandon personally reached out to the Dean of Students office to cover the cost using emergency funds. When a student was celebrating a birthday or holiday alone in isolation, Brandon made sure that the food they ate was worthy of celebration.

On top of everything, Brandon partnered with colleagues in Dean of Students, service learning, information technology, food science, and our generous donors to develop a new program to provide food for students in need -- The Market at Virginia Tech, a service where students get a week’s worth of wholesome and fresh foods, that they can prepare however they prefer. Brandon is an example not just to our students, but to everyone in the Virginia Tech community.

Brandon, we appreciate your care and service – I am pleased to present to you the Aspire! Award for EMBRACING UT PROSIM AS A WAY OF LIFE.