SUNY Cortland introduces signature ice cream flavor

SUNY Cortland introduces signature ice cream flavor

07/19/2021 

There’s a sweet treat in store for SUNY Cortland students when they return to campus this fall: Red Dragon’s Delight ice cream, the university’s very own flavor creation.

The signature ice cream product, produced locally by Cornell Dairy, includes three key components: a chocolate ice cream base, marshmallow swirls and caramel cubes. It will be served at Neubig Dining and the Bistro Off Broadway, where students can use their unlimited meal plans, and the ice cream also will be available for purchase in individual Cortland-themed containers across campus.

“We wanted this to be local and high-quality,” said Jeff Scott, director of dining services for Cortland Auxiliary Services. “We’re always trying to bring global inspiration and locally connected ingredients into our menus and programs, and this ice cream project is a fun example of that.”

The idea for the Cortland-specific product was born roughly a year ago after staff members from the university’s dining services team toured the Cornell Dairy production facilities, which Scott described as state-of-the-art.

“What we love about this ice cream is that we know exactly where it comes from,” Scott said. “Cornell Dairy is 20 or so miles from campus and its products are world-class. The freshness, the shelf life, the quality … everything is at the highest end of the range.”

Four multi-ingredient ice cream options were drafted by the dining services team then proposed to SUNY Cortland students through a survey. More than 400 responses came in, and Scott said the favorite recipe was clear.

In addition to perfecting the ice cream’s ingredients, Cortland Auxiliary staff members also gave thought to details such as name and presentation. Individual container labels of Red Dragon’s Delight include SUNY Cortland’s secondary mark and an image of Old Main, the university’s iconic academic building.

Red Dragon's Delight ice cream in its packaging
Individual containers of Red Dragon’s Delight ice cream will
be available to purchase in campus dining facilities.

“The process involved a series of conversations and great collaboration with our dairy partners as well as our campus partners to get it to the finish line,” Scott said. “The spirit and the enthusiasm were great, and we see this a model for other programs we can work on.”

Faculty and staff members were treated to a soft launch of sorts at SUNY Cortland’s first “Scoops of Gratitude” employee appreciation event outside Corey Union on July 14. Two additional summer ice cream socials are planned for the campus community, on Wednesday, July 21, at Brockway Hall and Wednesday, July 28, at the Student Life Center, both from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Scott said plans are in the works for a similar free food festival early in fall semester for students, where they can sample the new ice cream along with Chick-N-Bap, the university’s Korean-inspired street food offering, as well as tacos from Cortland Auxiliary Services’s new Red Dragon Wagon food truck.

“We want students to know that they have a ton of menu options at SUNY Cortland,” he said. “We want them to see all of the variety and choices.”


More News

The Driver Era to close out Spring Fling

The Driver Era to close out Spring Fling

The band concludes a Coachella-themed week of fun at SUNY Cortland.


Cortland earns SUNY’s Shared Governance Award

Cortland earns SUNY’s Shared Governance Award

The system-wide honor recognizes collaboration between Faculty Senate and campus leadership.


Chinese politics scholar to speak

Chinese politics scholar to speak

China’s focus on Tibetan religious customs as a power wedge is talk topic on March 20.


The Big Event Returns April 21

The Big Event Returns April 21

Cortland's student-run community cleanup has potential as a statewide model.


Student shares mental health research nationally

Student shares mental health research nationally

Kyla Young presented her original findings at a rescue service providers conference.


‘Harvest Week!’ culminates ‘Food’ series

‘Harvest Week!’ culminates ‘Food’ series

Topping the week of April 8-12's activities is a talk by the ‘Braiding Sweetgrass' author.


Physics and art departments host eclipse viewing  

Physics and art departments host eclipse viewing  

A rare solar phenomenon will unite the worlds of physics and art on campus. 


Vote for Blaze in SUNY's Mascot Madness!

Vote for Blaze in SUNY's Mascot Madness!

Cortland's mascot needs your vote to advance past the annual popularity tournament's second round.


Prizes offered for student opinions

Prizes offered for student opinions

Undergraduates have until April 5 to complete SUNY’s Student Satisfaction Survey.


Three students earn SUNY Chancellor’s Awards

Three students earn SUNY Chancellor’s Awards

The seniors will receive the prestigious student honor at an April 11 ceremony in Albany.