Ribbon cut on Hawk Café by CEFCU

The Heartland Community College Foundation celebrated the opening of a new student dining and lounge space on the college main campus in Normal, made possible thanks to a contribution from CEFCU. 

Earlier this year the Heartland Board of Trustees approved the naming of the new student dining and lounge space as The Hawk Café by CEFCU. 

“CEFCU is a proud, long-time supporter of Heartland Community College. We hope the new Hawk Café by CEFCU will serve as a hub for collaboration, creativity, and connection while providing a welcoming space for students to gather and fuel their minds,” said Matt Mamer, President and CEO of CEFCU. 

The 5,900 square foot renovated food service and student lounge space is located in the Workforce Development Center (WDC). The new space, just off the building atrium, was funded in part by a generous gift from CEFCU. 

The Hawk Café features a Subway restaurant, a coffee counter serving Starbucks coffee, and an area for students to gather. 

“We are so grateful to have partners like CEFCU to help serve the students at Heartland,” said Foundation Executive Director Chris Downing. “So many Heartland students juggle a work schedule, or a family schedule, along with their studies. To have this warm, welcoming space where a student can grab a meal or stop and regroup between classes or another obligation makes a big difference for them.” 

Construction of the site was completed this summer with the goal of making dining and lounge space available to students at the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year.