This post was written by Hatchet reporter Cat Barnao

J Street was swarmed with students, faculty and Sodexo representatives for the grand opening of the newly revamped student dining center today.

University President Steven Knapp cut a ribbon leading into the popular Metro Diner at 5 p.m., recognizing the work by Sodexo and student groups like the Student Dining Board to reshape the Marvin Center dining experience.

President Knapp said the dining options on campus “would continue to evolve, but this is certainly a step in the right direction.”

For the next two hours, students passing through the campus hub sampled chocolate and peanut covered strawberries, mini blue cheese and steak sandwiches, fudge and pecan tarts and frozen yogurt from Freshens.

Sodexo employees circulated the first floor with silver platters, handing out bacon-wrapped shrimp, fried crab balls and cups of basil penne.

Rich Yokely, the resident district manager of Sodexo, said the changes to J Street are a culmination of months of student advocacy.

“Students wanted change, we heard them,” he said.