Laurie Singel (center), of the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions, helped serve students Caroline Heileson (from left), Amy Gaylord, Jessica Becker and Marcella Peralta at the President’s Spaghetti Dinner.

An event that’s been around since 1986, the President’s Spaghetti Dinner treats UIW students to a special Italian meal served by Dr. Louis Agnese and other UIW administrators, faculty and staff.

The president’s secret pasta sauce is still the main attraction, complemented with pasta, hand-rolled meatballs and all the trimmings along with delectable homemade desserts contributed by UIW faculty and staff.

“We add a touch of elegance by hosting the dinner in the beautiful Rosenberg Sky Room, complete with tablecloths, candlelight and live jazz music,” said Dr. Renee Moore, dean of Campus Life, the office that coordinates the event. “From the students’ comments we have heard over the years, we know that they feel that it is a special treat that they look forward to attending, almost as much as we enjoy serving them!”

Each year, UIW employees get together for an afternoon of preparation, including hand-rolling meatballs for the spaghetti dinner and tucking silverware neatly into napkins. Then volunteers gather on the top floor of the McCombs Center to act as the charming wait staff for the meal. Last year, more than 100 volunteers helped to serve 750 students.