Sharon Randall, general manager of Montreat College’s Howerton Dining Hall, was honored as the East Region General Manager of the Year for Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, the food service management organization that oversees dining services.
Randall was one of only seven general managers nationwide to receive the prestigious 2025 GM of the Year Award. She was recognized on the main stage during the awards dinner at the organization’s national meeting in Dallas, held December 8–10.
The award celebrated Randall’s extraordinary 45 years of leadership, dedication, and service, all of which she has devoted to Montreat College. Her career, which spans an incredible 16,425 days, has made her a beloved and steady presence for generations of students, colleagues, and partners. Known for her compassionate spirit and deep personal investment in the campus community, Randall has long been regarded as a mentor, colleague, and friend.
“From the first day to the last of every student’s journey, Sharon has been a constant presence,” said Laura Thompson, Vice President of Operations at Aramark. “She’s the warm smile that greets you at the door, the listening ear when you need someone to talk to, and for many, she’s been a mother away from home. Her presence in the dining hall is more than routine. It’s a source of comfort and connection.”
Her recognition also reflected the remarkable strength she demonstrated during Hurricane Helene. Following the flooding in 2024, Randall chose to remain on campus through the crisis, sleeping in the dining hall and in her car. She ensured students were cared for and fed until every student was safely evacuated, even while she faced her own storm-related challenges. Her selflessness is a defining example of her character and her unwavering commitment to others.
“She cares for and deeply loves our students, faculty, and staff, and she invests in each person individually,” John Beaghan, Vice President for Finance and Administration at Montreat College, said during this year’s all-employee gathering that recognized her 45 years of service. “She often goes above and beyond, working long hours. She’s a gifted manager of people and has employed and educated literally hundreds of our students on campus. We are truly blessed to have her as part of our Montreat family.”