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Westfield, Mississinewa students learn dining skills during IUK etiquette meal

KOKOMO, Ind. — What do you do if your job interview includes dinner?

About 40 juniors from Westfield High School and Mississinewa High School are prepared for this possibility after attending an etiquette luncheon at Indiana University Kokomo.

Stephanie Herschberger, event services specialist, walked students through an elegant meal from soup to dessert, served on china with cloth napkins and multiple forks, spoons, and other utensils.

 “You need to know how to present yourself,” she said. “What can we do to be sure we are putting our best selves forward?”

The Office of Admissions hosted the event, offering students an experience that blended college exposure with professional skill-building.

“As these students prepare to enter their senior year and begin the college and scholarship application process, the experience offered them practical tools to help them stand out,” said Angie Siders, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management.

“IU Kokomo is committed to supporting students in every step of their journey, and this event reflects that ongoing dedication,” she said. “The event was designed to equip students with the knowledge and confidence to navigate formal dining settings, enhancing both their social and professional skills. It also served as an opportunity to introduce prospective students to the campus and the opportunities it offers for their future.”

In addition to dining skills, students learned that being professional extends beyond the classroom, and includes interviews, networking events, and everyday interactions. For some, it was their first chance to tour a college campus and begin considering life beyond high school.

“Most importantly, it gave students a sense of belonging, confidence, and connection, elements that are crucial for success in both the academic and professional environments,” Siders said.

Students were seated at round tables, with places alternating between schools so each student sat by someone he or she had not met before. An IU Kokomo student sat at each table, serving as table host and getting conversations started.

Herschberger circled among the tables, answering questions and sharing additional tips about how to eat soup properly, how to lay down silverware to let a server know you are done eating, how to butter bread, how to pass dishes, and how to know what silverware to use.

Nervous giggles broke out when she instructed them to butter only the bite of bread they are about to eat, rather than the whole piece, but she offered reassurance.

“It’s OK, we’re learning here,” she said.

Kelley Grate, director of student services at Mississinewa High School, said their school participated to give students a chance to visit campus while also gaining new skills.

“We recognize these students will likely participate in business or educational events in the future where etiquette training will be valuable,” she said. “This event provided our student a sense of confidence in situations that require proper etiquette. They also gained valuable experience in the art of making conversation and collaborating with people they may not know.”

Matt Putman, Westfield High School assistant principal, said the event prepares students for future success.

“The skills our students learned at the etiquette luncheon make them more prepared to be life ready,” he said. “It had a huge impact on our students. Besides learning dining skills, they had conversations with other individuals they did not know.”

The etiquette luncheon was funded with a grant from the IU Kokomo Women of the Well House, the campus’s philanthropic giving circle.

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.