A severe thunderstorm rolled through Lawrence, Kansas, on Sunday, April 26, 2026, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and the possibility of hail. Sirens went off at 3 p.m. across Lawrence, and Haskell students received a notification that severe weather was ahead. Then came the rain, while students at Roe Cloud Hall experienced a brief power outage.
At Haskell Indian Nations University, students waited out the storm, but one question remained: would dinner at Curtis still be served?
Just 20 minutes after the storm let up, Curtis Dining Hall opened its doors.
Inside, the daily Curtis routine continued.
“We prepped dinner at 2 p.m. to be ready by 4:30,” said Curtis Hall worker Christina Lanhan. “Our hours are 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. We would never close Curtis.”
Even as the storm moved through campus, operations continued. On the menu: bratwurst, chicken wings, and mac and cheese.
“Yes, the lights flickered,” Lanhan said. “But we were still preparing.”
For students, that is what matters.
Julien Blackbear, a Haskell student, said missing Curtis Hall would mean limited options.
“I would have to eat noodles or something microwavable in my dorm,” Blackbear said.
For many students, off-campus food is not always a reliable backup.
When asked how much her typical DoorDash order cost, she said, “About $20. I don’t have DashPass, so I would choose a restaurant nearby as a cheaper option. Wingstop is my top choice. Or I would have to walk to Checkers or somewhere nearby.”
For students without transportation or extra funds, campus dining becomes essential.
Curtis Dining Hall has long served as a central space on campus, offering not just meals, but consistency. While rain washed the windows and winds moved across campus, staff inside continued preparing food, ready to serve as soon as conditions cleared.
The ability to reopen quickly reflects the dining hall’s role within the Haskell community as a needed as a dependable and essential option for students.
Rain or shine, the Curtis Hall doors stay open.
