Tennessee Tech dedicates food pantry in memory of late staff member with selfless passion for serving others
A placard for the Michelle Huddleston Memorial Food Pantry is displayed at the pantry’s
April 15 dedication ceremony. Huddleston was a two-time Tennessee Tech graduate and
longtime staff member who helped establish the pantry in 2012 and was instrumental
in its continued operation. She passed away in October 2023.
Tennessee Tech University honored a beloved late friend, staff member and alumna with
the naming of a special place on campus in her memory.
The university’s food pantry – a campus resource providing nutritional assistance
to food-insecure students since 2012 – was dedicated Tuesday as the “Michelle Huddleston
Memorial Food Pantry,” honoring the life of one of the pantry’s founders and most
enthusiastic champions.
Michelle Huddleston was a two-time Tech graduate who served at the university in various
roles for nearly 15 years, most recently as associate director of residential life
and service learning, until her passing in October 2023. The food pantry was a hallmark
of her time at Tech; something she viewed as a “calling,” more than just part of her
employment, according to remarks from university leaders.
“Her vision transformed a modest closet into a sanctuary of support, embodying her
belief that no member of our community should face food insecurity,” said Tech President
Phil Oldham. “The Michelle Huddleston Memorial Food Pantry will stand as a beacon
of hope and a testament to the power of selfless service.”
Robert Owens, Tech’s senior executive for access, belonging and community outreach,
along with Cynthia Polk-Johnson, Tech’s vice president for student affairs, and Alex
Garcia, a Tech graduate student and current food pantry manager, also provided heartfelt
tributes.
“It feels like such a full-circle moment now that the food pantry is officially dedicated
to Michelle,” said Garcia. “Now, no one will forget all the good that she did for
us.”
Michelle Huddleston’s husband, Ray, shares a hug with former Cookeville Mayor Ricky
Shelton at the Michelle Huddleston Memorial Food Pantry April 15 dedication ceremony.
As mayor, Shelton presented Huddleston with an honorary key to the city.
Robert Owens, Tennessee Tech’s senior executive for access, belonging and community
outreach, emceed the Michelle Huddleston Memorial Food Pantry’s April 15 dedication
ceremony and shared a personal story of his friendship with Huddleston.
Polk-Johnson praised Huddleston’s “drive, passion, energy and go-get-it attitude,”
calling her “a true servant who transformed the student experience at Tennessee Tech."
Owens recalled the outpouring of support for the food pantry in the weeks and months
following Huddleston’s passing, adding that it was “a testament to the incredible
belief alumni and donors had for Michelle’s leadership and the mission of the food
pantry.”
The dedication ceremony marked the realization of an ambitious fundraising goal for
the food pantry. After Huddleston’s passing, the university challenged the campus
community to give $25,000 to restock the pantry and secure resources needed to name
the facility in memory of its greatest advocate. Golden Eagles rallied to the cause
and have now exceeded the initial fundraising goal by more than $2,000 – ensuring
the pantry can continue to deliver on its mission of fighting hidden hunger across
campus.
Huddleston’s closest confidants on campus, including Sandra Bohannon, Tech’s assistant
vice president for health, wellness and wellbeing, say the naming of the food pantry
is a fitting memorial to a treasured friend.
“I was so hopeful this would happen, and it’s so well deserved,” said Bohannon. “She
will be missed every single day.”
Michelle Huddleston is shown in a 2021 photo unloading a delivery of fresh produce
to the food pantry. Campus leaders say the newly renamed Michelle Huddleston Memorial
Food Pantry will serve as an enduring reminder of Huddleston’s selfless generosity.
Huddleston is survived by her loving husband, Ray, who also works at Tech, and their
three daughters: Kaylie, Madison and Aubrey.
The Michelle Huddleston Memorial Food Pantry is located in Tech Village, the university’s
apartment-style campus housing complex, at 910 N. Willow Ave, Cookeville. An auxiliary
pantry is located behind the front desk at the university’s Volpe Library.
The pantry gives away an estimated 1,600 to 2,000 items per week. Over the 2023 –
2024 year, clients made more than 4,200 visits to the pantry for assistance. Learn
more, including how to donate or receive food at https://www.tntech.edu/foodpantry/.