In the last 28 years, Cindy Wiltheiss director of Food Service has been dedicated to serving to the best of her abilities, even while being a student at Professional and Graduate Studies.

Wiltheiss was 21-years-old, married and had two young children when she first came to Cornerstone. 

“We just fell in love with it because it had great accommodations for families and so we came here for school,” Wiltheiss said. “I tried to go [to school] but it was hard having little ones at home, but my husband did finish his degree.”

Wiltheiss will be done with her post graduate studies in November. Her degree will be in business management.

“Five years ago I got convicted, because I would tell the students to stay in school, ‘You can always make more money but you can’t gain back time,’” Wiltheiss said. “Then one day I thought the world is rapidly changing, all this technology and there’s no reason in the world I can’t get a degree.”

One thing that Wiltheiss has missed for the past two years because of school was going on mission trips with students because she was so busy with classes.

“I always did Habitat for Humanity. We started it five years ago, because I had a food service student who was in a car accident, Lucas Squires. So we dedicated it to Lucas, but because I’ve been trying to finish school I haven’t been able to go and I want to get back to it,” Wiltheiss said.

As a leader, Wiltheiss believes that she and the food service staff are more of a team.

“My style of leadership is, I try to see what my employees need, either it be equipment-wise, what staffing they may need. I like to be able to offer my assistance. I never want to take away their creativity,” Wiltheiss said. “I do have some boundaries but I would rather see a mistake be made and they learn from it than to micro-manage.”

Among many of the countless responsibilities that Wiltheiss has, like overseeing the budget or reworking meal plans, she also meets with student government.

“I see what some of the things they are looking for and we try to critique and see what we can do to make it happen,” Wiltheiss said. “My goal is to be used in a way that I give my customer what they are looking for and my employees the support they need to get the job done.”

Lance Kyser swing production manager in Food Service has known Wiltheiss since 2002 and also spent some time with her on a missions trip with Habitat for Humanity.

“She looks at the best in someone and she’ll tell you, she realizes those qualities and looks at the bright side and encourages and I think that helps a lot especially being a boss and being in leadership,” Kyser said.

Outside of work, Wiltheiss spends time with her three grandsons.

“They just make my day. When I’ve had a stressful day, those little boys can just make me smile from ear to ear,” Wiltheiss said. “Just taking them to the park and watching them interact and solve problems, realizing that the world is not so bad and it’s why we’re here. If you ask me what I do for fun outside of Food Service it’s be with my grandsons.”

One of her favorite things about being in Food Service and working at Cornerstone is the students.

“I enjoy being with the students, they keep you young, and now that my workload will be a little less because of being done with school I can spend more time with the students,” Wiltheiss said.

Wiltheiss is the third generation of her family to be in Food Services, her grandmother and mother were also involved with Cornerstone Food Services.

“I live my passion and I don’t think a lot of people can say that,” Wiltheiss said.