Join Us For the Moody Center Dining Hall Dedication!

On Thursday, September 7, 2023, Hardin-Simmons University will dedicate the newly remodeled and expanded Moody Center Dining Hall, also known as “The Caf” at 11:30 A.M.

Construction over the past two years has grown the footprint of Moody Center by over 9,000 square feet. The cafeteria will seat 560 students at a time, with the addition of booths, benches, and individual seating options, plus a separate dining space with a fireplace and glass wall for more privacy. Food options have been expanded to include a brick pizza oven, a smoothie bar, and more.

The university mascot, Hoss, will be present during the event for photos.

About Moody Center Cafeteria:

The Hardin-Simmons University cafeteria has been under construction since 2021. A massive expansion of space, seating, and windows, with new food opportunities through kitchen upgrades and food stations, has created a buzz on campus.

The Student Center was first dedicated on October 28, 1962. Like today, it housed the post office, snack shop, and cafeteria and acted as the hangout spot for students. Up until that point in 1962, it had been a goal of the university to build a single, dedicated space to serve as the student rec center for years. Prior to this building, Ana Hall, a repurposed female residence hall, housed a snack bar, table tennis, couches, and post office and was the primary hangout spot for students; the campus bookstore was adjacent to the former chapel building; and the dining hall was in the Beanery—a single story house, located where Frost Art Center now is.

The Student Center was designed as a one-stop-shop for students—cafeteria, post office, snack bar, bookstore, bowling alley, and rec room, plus faculty and staff offices and lounges.

The building was later named the Moody Center and dedicated as such on September 26, 1969, in honor of the Moody Foundation and their sizable gift of $300,000 to the university in 1965.

Today, the Moody Center is still the center of student life. Students gather for meals in the cafeteria and POD (Provisions on Demand); from an E-sports lounge to a commuter lounge, multiple lounges can be found on all three floors, and the post office and bookstore are always hopping.

Construction over the past two years has grown the footprint of Moody Center by over 9,000 square feet. The cafeteria will seat 560 students at a time, with the addition of booths, benches, and individual seating options, plus a separate dining space with a fireplace and glass wall for more privacy. Food options have been expanded to include a brick pizza oven, smoothie bar, and more.