Morning omelettes have become a routine for many freshmen at the University of Miami. But in the Mahoney-Pearson dining hall, getting an omelette is a chance to start your day off right with chef Glen Howard.
Howard’s constant uplifting and happy attitude has a ripple effect among students every morning. With his trademarked phrases like “my man,” and his never-leaving smile, you can’t help but leave the omelette line in a better mood than when you arrived.
“I enjoy what I do,” Howard said. “I have so much enthusiasm because of tomorrow’s people that I am catering to: the future lawyers and doctors.”
Howard is known for his constant outgoing positivity. As a spiritual man, he credits his uplifting spirit to his “oneness with his creator, the lord,” sharing that he believes his positive energy transfers to those he serves.
Every student who reaches the front of Howard’s omelette line gets greeted with the most joyous “good morning!” To many, this may be just a greeting, but Howard has intention behind his words.
“When we meet face to face – that good morning has so much positivity,” Howard said. “Own it to whatever you were going through last night and let it dissipate it.”
Transforming what could be a meaningless interaction, and making connections is Howard’s specialty. Taking actual interest in students’ lives and offering advice on how to go about their issues is not part of the job, but it’s what he loves to do..
With 50 years of experience in food service, Howard has helped in every part of a kitchen. He started off as a dishwasher at a family-owned restaurant.
“Ever since then, I have just been loving food service,” Howard said. “It does your heart so well when you see people enjoying what you put your heart and soul into.”
After working at Denny’s for eight years, he got the job at UM and he has worked at the UM dining hall for seven years. Until last year he was behind the scenes.
He was offered the omelette-making position and was more than happy to take it in 2024. He prefers to interact with students rather than cook in the hidden kitchen.
Howard says he strives to make a positive impact on the University of Miami community as a whole.
“I hope to give the freshmen a picture of what UM will be like for the next three years.”
Howard and his wife attended the 2025 UM Homecoming celebration on Nov. 7. Groups of students were approaching him and saying hi. He said that in this moment, his mission to make an impact on students felt fulfilled.
In every aspect of his life, Howard leads with gratitude and intention. He makes it a priority to remember the small things in life, from the exact number of days that he has been with his wife– which he recalled was 11,422– to the intricate omelette order of many students at UM.
Sometimes in life, it is hard to be positive. But Howard always reminds students to at least try to “make it a great day.”