The rockefeller university

Ice breakers were led by Sheanel Gardner, a fellow in the office of University Life and Community Engagement, who is also a graduate student in the Heintz lab. (Credit: Lori Chertoff)

On October 8, Rockefeller colleagues from labs, administrative offices, and facilities gathered for the inaugural Community Connections Lunch Series, a new initiative hosted by the Office of University Life and Community Engagement (OUCLE). 

The event transformed Kellen BioLink into a lively dining room filled with laughter and cross-campus conversation, where guests enjoyed maple-glazed salmon, cider-brined chicken, and roasted squash with quinoa and harvest vegetables. 

“This is the first time we’ve offered an event of this style for staff,” said Ashton Murray, vice president for University Life and Community Engagement. “The staff community is central to what makes Rockefeller thrive. With initiatives like this lunch series, OULCE seeks to create spaces where staff can engage thoughtfully, exchange ideas, and contribute to a culture of connection and belonging.” 

The inaugural luncheon drew 35 participants, with additional gatherings planned for winter and late spring. Each event can accommodate up to 50 attendees, and those who haven’t attended will receive priority registration.  

The afternoon opened with a lighthearted icebreaker, “Two Truths and a Lie,” which encouraged participants to share three “facts” about themselves—two true and one false—while others tried to spot the lie. The friendly competition, complete with small prizes, got attendees laughing and talking.  

“It allowed people to meet new and familiar colleagues by sharing more about themselves and learning more about each other,” Murray said. 

From short breaks to lasting connections 

In many workplaces, lunch has become a solitary, desk-bound activity. Rockefeller’s new series reflects a growing recognition of the role that social ties play in well-being, engagement, and performance. Research supports this: a Cornell University study of firehouses found that teams who ate together performed better than those who dined alone, evidence that shared meals strengthen trust and teamwork. 

The lunch series complements the university’s ongoing Coffee Chats program, which pairs members of the community—faculty, staff, postdocs, and students—for informal, one-on-one conversations over coffee at Neustein’s Café. Participants are randomly matched, sometimes more than once a semester, and receive drink vouchers to encourage participation. 

Both initiatives advance OUCLE’s mission to foster belonging and collaboration across campus. “When people know one another better, communication improves and the whole community becomes stronger,” Murray said. 

Loreto Carvallo Torres, a research support specialist in the Drug Discovery Resource Center, who attended the luncheon, especially appreciated the icebreaker, which turned familiar email contacts into new in-person connections.  

“It was great to finally put a face to a name—and say, ‘Oh, you’re that person!’” Carvallo Torres said. She added that gatherings like this feel particularly valuable now, when finding ways to engage and build community matters more than ever. 

Rodolfo Nunez, Rockefeller’s director of infrastructure, praised the BioLink setting—the views, the food, and the thoughtful planning. But the most refreshing part, he said, was the opportunity to step away from work for an hour and spend time with colleagues from across campus.  

“I spoke with four or five people I wouldn’t have met otherwise,” he said. “Now when I see them, we’ll stop and talk.”