Bucknell University Athletics
29 Student-Athletes and Freeman College of Management Students Attend Dining Etiquette Event
5/4/2026 12:14:00 PM | Student-Athlete Enrichment
LEWISBURG, Pa. — Bucknell Student-Athlete Enrichment alongside the Center for Career Advancement (CCA) and the Freeman College of Management hosted a dining etiquette event at the Rusty Rail on Tuesday, April 21.
Junior and senior student-athletes alongside Freeman students had the opportunity to network, learn from and engage with the nine Bucknell faculty and staff members present throughout the evening. A total 29 students, including 20 student-athletes, attended the event with representation from 11 of our Division I sports teams.
"As a student-athlete," said Rourke Kennedy (Finance Class of 2027 Football), "the dining etiquette event was a valuable opportunity to connect with peers, professors and friends while refining professional etiquette skills that are often overlooked in everyday life."
The event began with a 15 minute networking and mingling session where attendees gathered at high-top tables and were encouraged to connect with individuals that they did not know prior. Each table featured a table tent with networking tips and conversation starters to help guide discussions and teach the students the different ways to approach networking conversations.
Following the networking session, participants were seated at assigned tables that were a mix of student-athletes from different teams, Freeman students across various majors and at least one faculty or staff member.
Christa Matlack '11, a Bucknell Athletics Hall of Famer from the CCA, led the session at the Rusty Rail where she guided students through professional conduct, dining etiquette and communication skills for future career settings.
The first course was served as the program began. The presentation included interactive breaks which allowed attendees to practice key concepts and discuss different approaches in small groups. After the first course was cleared, the main course was served, followed by dessert as Matlack continued to focus her session on professional development and proper networking skills over a meal.
"The dining etiquette event taught me how to show respect and professionalism through my actions," said Clara Eikeboom (Art & Design Class of 2027 Rowing). "I learned the specific placements of silverware and passing conventions, which I will carry with me throughout my career."
Overall, the event was a successful venture where the attendees were able to soak up knowledge and best practices in order to allow them to be more comfortable and confident in future business dinners or networking events.
"I really enjoyed learning about dining etiquette through this event," said Alison Cooke (Education & Political Science Class of 2026 Women's Track and Field). "It was so helpful to learn these important skills through practice in a supportive environment surrounded by your own peers and familiar faculty instead of through trial and error during a future business dinner. We covered everything from how to have meaningful conversations during a cocktail hour, proper place settings including which utensils to use for each course and even what to do if you spill your drink or drop a utensil. The Rusty Rail and Student Athlete Enrichment served us a great meal with a side of life long skills."
