Axe ’Em, Jacks!
A heaping serving of SFA's dining history
Story by Nathan Wicker '19
Behind every type of SFA achievement during the last 60 years, from students acing exams to faculty and staff shaping futures, a fueling station has supported Lumberjack success: East College Cafeteria, most recently referred to as Eatery on East.
As the university evolves to meet the needs of a new generation of students and reflect the university's bold vision for the future of campus life, the dining hall will soon follow in the footsteps of other iconic buildings like Mays Hall, Garner Apartments and its former neighbor, Hall 16. But before its replacement is complete and the dining hall is razed, one man's unique story that predates the hall itself offers a glimpse into the many evolutions of SFA's dining history.
A taste of the past: The legacy of SFA's first dining director
Nearly every meal served throughout SFA's existence can find its origins in the heart and vision of Elmer Childers, SFA's first director of food services, who set the table for the vibrant dining culture students enjoy today.
Born Jan. 28, 1915, on a farm in Denning, Texas, Elmer got into the grocery business early in life. After his family lost most of their land during the Great Depression, Elmer graduated from high school in 1933 and began working at his uncle's grocery store and then later at Partin Grocery in San Augustine, Texas, earning $11 per week. These early jobs equipped him with valuable skills that laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial future.
In 1939, Elmer moved to Nacogdoches to manage the commissary at the Nacogdoches County Lumber Company. Then, in 1944, he journeyed out on his own, with the help of his sisters, and purchased the inventory of the College Drug Store at the corner of Wettermark and North streets.
The College Drug Store also became a pivotal chapter in Elmer Childers' personal life. It was there, amid playful teasing and skits, he met his wife, Billie Jo Alexander. The couple married June 25, 1944, and shared 59 years together, raising three children, all of whom graduated from SFA.
In 1948, SFA began construction on the new Student Union Building, which was set to feature a snack bar, bookstore, post office, recreation room, ballroom and offices. Coincidentally about that same time, Elmer lost the lease on his drug store.
As the SUB neared completion, Dr. Paul L. Boynton, SFA's second president, approached him about starting and managing what would become the SUB's new snack bar, SFA's first official dining service. Elmer enthusiastically accepted.
Several months later, Boynton stopped by to share his excitement of the snack bar's success. Elmer accepted the compliment but made clear one glaring issue — he hadn't been paid.
Elmer was quickly given a salary and back pay, thus officially starting a 40-year journey with SFA.
Following a spike in enrollment in the late 1950s, SFA expanded again in 1960 with the construction of the College Center — now, following a handful of renovations, the Baker Pattillo Student Center. While managing the center's new and larger snack bar from 1961 to 1964, Elmer also participated in cafeteria management and planning, and helped establish the dining room in the center.
Elmer was paid $400 a month to operate the snack bar, according to his son, Henry Childers. He especially enjoyed having the holidays off, a luxury he didn't have at previous jobs.
In 1964, he was appointed SFA's first director of food services.
"Elmer's lifelong lessons continued to pay dividends," said Henry Childers '69, Elmer's son. "His philosophy was to never take students for granted, feed them the best he could with the money they were paying, keep the cost of the meal plan as low as possible, listen to the customer and make changes as appetites and desires changed."
During his time as director, Elmer introduced open-concept dining with expanded entrées, salad and dessert bars, pizza, snacks, and other items the students requested. He also ensured a dietitian was on staff to help with menus and special diets.
"Our goal has always been to provide a variety of quality food in sufficient quantity, properly prepared, timely and well-presented in a pleasant, sanitary atmosphere at the minimum cost to the student," Elmer said in an article in the Nov. 27, 1977, edition of Nacogdoches' The Daily Sentinel. They sold about 6,500 cold drinks and candy bars each week. They also sold handmade sandwiches.
Elmer implemented a food service committee with students from dorms and various campus organizations who would meet every week. He considered these meetings one of his most valuable tools.
Slowly, Elmer's influence and talents grew. He installed vending machines in the dorms and other locations around campus and made sure small refrigerators and coin-operated washers and dryers were available to students in the dorms. In addition, he oversaw the implementation of a computerized cafeteria check-in procedure, which was a rarity among universities in the 1970s.
According to Elmer, if the students were happy, the parents would be happy. And for many years, there were very few complaints.
In 1966, SFA built East College Cafeteria to shorten the commute for diners on the north side of campus while adding four serving lines to accommodate approximately 4,600 students on a meal plan.
Elmer retired in 1985 at age 70 following 41 years of unwavering service to SFA, including 21 years as director of food services.
In a 1986 interview with the late Dr. Bobby H. Johnson, professor emeritus of history, Elmer reflected on his time at SFA: "My stay at the university, as far as I was concerned, was great to me. I got nothing but good soft feelings for them because they allowed me a living and allowed me to educate my kids and allowed me to build this home."
A historic farewell and a fresh start
SFA is continuing Elmer's drive to exceed student expectations and modernize services with the construction of a new dining hall set to open this year.
Though beloved by many, parts of the existing East College Cafeteria have become obsolete since opening under Elmer's direction in 1966. Faced with a choice to patchwork fixes together or start fresh, administrators received approval to raze the dining hall and build a new structure that would still pay homage to the university's history.
The newly christened Pineywoods Dining at the corner of Wilson Drive and East College Street marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for SFA. The 20,000-square-foot dining facility is the university's first mass timber building and will feature state-of-the-art equipment and other new offerings.
SFA Dining Services serves approximately 6,000 meals per day and over 1.5 million meals per school year. The need for a new dining hall became apparent in 2018," said John Branch, assistant vice president of facilities services and operations. "The current facility is outmoded and limited in its capability to serve today's students. The new dining hall will provide students with modern amenities and food choices in a fresh new environment designed to make their dining experience a pleasant one."
Along with the traditional dining hall fares, the new facility will feature a rotisserie, tortilla machine and purple hand-tiled pizza oven. The new facility also will boast a tailgating section and a new restaurant, Absurd Bird.
Despite so many campus changes, Elmer's influence will remain in the smiling faces of food service staff members and the constant hope to create a truly great Lumberjack experience.
Elmer Childers' Legacy at SFA
Henry Childers '69, a Nacogdoches native and biology and chemistry major, shared information on how his father shaped the foundation of SFA dining, and how his handprint is permanently etched throughout the university's history. He also shared his insight on how Elmer influenced his own life.
What lessons or values from your father's work and life do you carry with you?
Elmer taught me to commit to your family, work hard, save for a depression, treat people with respect, enjoy your hobbies and cultivate friendships.
Do you have a favorite memory of your father?
I wasn't very old — 11 to 13 years old — but I helped him in the original snack bar. In addition, I helped him in the new student center snack bar. We also worked together on outside projects at my grandfather's farm, and had great fun fishing together. Being together is my favorite memory, and he taught me many lessons on life during those times.
Elmer and Billie Jo Childers Family Scholarship
The Elmer and Billie Jo Childers Family Scholarship was established in 1999 to benefit upperclassman hospitality administration majors who maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and serves as an intern in the Pearman Alumni Center.