LeVon Jenkins is set to retire from NC State Dining on February 9 after 41 years of service.
Retirement is a milestone many anticipate… a time when one is free for leisurely pursuits like travel, gardening or, well, just doing nothing. For LeVon, frivolous pursuits were not enough to keep him happily occupied. In fact, he’s already come out of retirement twice. But this time, it’s for good.
LeVon’s career at NC State began after his 1976 retirement from the US Navy, where he served as a purchasing agent. He joined NC State in 1977 when the dining program was small and mostly relegated to Talley Student Union and the Atrium Annex in D.H. Hill Library.
“My first job here was as a stock clerk in Talley, where I was in charge of buying, delivering and forecasting,” he recalled. “My staff was mostly students, and we made the purchases not just for Talley, but also for the Annex, which we now call the Atrium.”
During this time he pursued a BA in business management from St. Augustine’s University and was given progressive responsibilities, managing Case Dining Hall, Fountain Dining Hall and The Atrium, to name a few. One of his best memories was being involved in Governor Hunt’s inaugurations in 1977 and 1981, both of which were held on campus.
“I was also the first African-American manager in the organization,” said LeVon. “I came from a family of meager means and grew up in a discriminatory setting, but I overcame it. It’s been a good run.”
LeVon recalled the quantum changes to the dining program when former Associate Vice Chancellor Art White was hired to oversee the program in the early 1980s.
“You started to see things change,” he said. “Fountain Dining Hall was built, and before long we were winning awards, such as the Restaurants & Institutions Magazine Ivy Award.”
In 1999, LeVon retired from NC State Dining as a director, having served 22 years.
“I was gone about a month when they called to see if I wanted to work part time. So I came back doing something different. I knew how to get things done,” he said.
LeVon valued the importance of maintaining hood, exhaust, and fire suppression systems to prevent serious fire hazards. He put standards and processes in place to ensure these tasks were done properly and professionally, as he did in every position he held in NC State Dining. For many in the department, this is the role they associate with LeVon, but long-term employees know the key role LeVon has played in the development of the department and its growth to be a top collegiate dining program.
In 2009, LeVon was inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is awarded to persons for exemplary service to the State of North Carolina and their communities that is above and beyond the call of duty and which has made a significant impact and strengthened North Carolina.
Now, he’s done. For real…he’s not coming back, so don’t call.
“It’s been really fun, but I am in great health and it’s time to spend more time with my wife Shirley,” he chirped. “We plan to travel. We have family in Las Vegas, for example, so we’re just going to get in the car and go some places.”
If there’s one thing LeVon will miss, however, it’s his coworkers. “I’ve met and had the pleasure of working with some really good people… Randy Lait, especially.”
Randy, who now serves as senior director for hospitality services for Campus Enterprises, was a student employee during LeVon’s early years.
“He’s the type of guy who is fair-minded and level headed. He’s a good person,” LeVon said. “I’ll also miss Mike Smith….people who see you as a person, not a person of color. Kitty Lewis… she came along with us also in those early years. Lots of people. I’ll miss the campus, too. I’ve seen it grow from woods to structures over the years.”
Randy Lait reflected on his many years working with LeVon.
“From my first day here, I came to know LeVon Jenkins as a man of faith, integrity, and dedication to his job,” said Lait. “There is not a better man or anyone that I respect more. LeVon was always someone I aspired to be like. I admired his calm demeanor, his strength, and his principles.
“No one deserves rest and relaxation more than LeVon,” he continued. “He has served long, and served well.”
LeVon’s parting advice is to be yourself: “Whatever you are, be yourself and the best you can. Don’t let others take you off your path.”