Former Dining Services director Palm celebrated

Luther’s Dining Services have changed a lot in the past 38 years under Warren Palm (‘71) but never as significantly as this summer. As Luther begins its partnership with Sodexo, big business is in and dining services’ former leader is out.

Palm’s services to the Luther and Decorah communities were recognized Wed, Sept. 23, with a public reception in the Hammarskjold Lounge. Friends, family and current and former employees attended to recognize the work of Luther’s former Director of Dining Services.

When Warren Palm was offered a job at Luther in 1971, all it took was a handshake to make him the receiving clerk, working on the dock and dealing with inventory. As a recent graduate of Luther, Palm had no intentions of leaving the community that had treated him so well.

“I loved Luther College,” Palm said. “It was the only school I ever wanted to go to. After I graduated I just decided to stay.”

After spending five years as the receiving clerk, Palm moved to Production Manager while implementing a groundbreaking recycling program a decade before proper recycling programs were available in Decorah.

Palm cited that program as one of his greatest achievements at Luther.

“[I was] instrumental in getting the recyclable items in the caf reused before most other forms were even available,” Palm said.

In the summer of 1985, Palm took over as Dining Services Director, a tenure that lasted 24 years until this summer, when he was let go and replaced by Sodexo employee Donna Bauck.

As director, Palm used a hands-off managing style and did not second-guess his employees.

“I wanted people to feel like they had the license to be creative,” Palm said. “I think that was good
for morale.

He was also known for being flexible and accommodating.

“He would bend over backwards for us when we had family matters,” said Carol Martin, a current Dining Services employee.

Palm also took personal responsibility for the well-being of his employees.

“He was always the first to volunteer to help people get to work or get them home before bad weather,” Bunny Seymour, Palm’s spouse, said. “If anyone got stuck in bad weather, he would use his truck to get them out and to work safely.”

Palm was not only viewed as a tremendous supervisor, he was also an impressive businessman, outperforming the food service budget 24 years in a
row. Palm also maintained a 30-year partnership with locally-run Martin Brothers Distributing Co., and their marketing consultant, Todd Hauser.

“Warren always bought the best quality products while maintaining the lowest board plans in the area,” Hauser said. “He was always fair and showed a
lot of leadership as director.”

Luther ended its partnership with Martin Brothers when it transferred control of Dining Services to Sodexo. Palm was informed of the decision to
outsource dining services only hours before the decision was publicly announced.

“It happened in a hurry,” Palm said.

Despite the loss of his job, Palm retains a positive attitude towards his alma mater and its administration.

“I was personally disappointed that I lost my job, but I like to believe the decision was made because Luther saw a benefit,” Palm said.

Palm, who claims to bleed Luther blue, is still concerned about the well-being of his school and its employees.

“If Sodexo improves the menu and service, then they made the right choice,” said Palm. “I hope that everything works well for Luther, and I will be disappointed if it doesn’t. Luther means an awful lot to me.”

What the future holds for Palm is yet to be seen, but nowadays he and his guitar can be seen frequenting T-Bocks’ open-mic nights.

“I’m not a pro, but I’ve written some songs and I like to play my guitar,” Palm said.
Relatively close to retirement age, Palm is still fleshing out his post-Luther plans. He has skills in stained glass with a workshop in his home and is also a musician.

No matter what Warren Palm goes on to do, his impact on the Luther community will not be limited to his time with Dining Services.