Turkey-Day at MWU

This week, MWU hosted Thanksgiving breakfasts for our faculty and staff at both campuses (Downers Grove on Monday; Glendale on Thursday). These much-anticipated annual gatherings are a wonderful celebration of the MWU family.

Photo: Me greeting Dr. Boyle (CCOM) as he makes his way down the receiving line in Downers Grove.

Photo: Me welcoming Dr. Page (AZPod) to the Glendale breakfast

Both events start with a receiving line, led by Dr. Goeppinger and with all members of the Administrative Team (VPs and deans) standing in line to shake the hand and welcome every employee. At each campus, we try to remember everyone's name, although it gets harder each year with the growth on our campuses. Last year alone, we hired 70 new employees at our Glendale Campus. While there are many new faces, the sense of being part of a friendly academic community is immediate.

Photo: Dr. Dobbelaere emcees the rafle, while I display the "Gobble til you Wobble" stuffed turkey and gift card.

Each campus serves a delicious full breakfast, with eggs, bacon, fruit, and featuring homemade zucchini bread in Downers and wonderful fruit pastries in Glendale. Once everyone goes through the line once, it is time to start the raffle. Our Manager of Special Events and occasional blogger Abena Patton coordinated the breakfasts at both campuses this year and purchased 200 gifts at each to be raffled off. More important than winning an item is the fun that people have during the raffle. The deans and VPs are charged with passing the gifts around the dining hall to the winner. Dr. G reads off the winning ticket number, while Dr. D announces the prizes. In Downers, Dr. Lee always takes the largest gift she can find. In Glendale, Drs. Kemper and McCallian engaged in a turkey calling contest whenever a turkey was the prize. The squeals of joy from winners and the playful sighs from those who just missed their number being called truly reflect how fun this event is for everyone.

Photo: A portable DVD player was one of the top prizes this year, along with a GPS system and a digital camera.

When all the prizes were given out, Dr. G gave her final word of thanks to the community. On both of our campuses, the faculty and staff have had a very busy fall with new students, new programs, new buildings, and more plans for the future. Dr. G thanked each of them for their hard work and commitment to MWU. She also reminded everyone this year of the difficult economic situation in our country. She encouraged people to spend some time over the Thanksgiving holiday to help out a family member, a neighbor, or even a stranger at a food drive or homeless shelter--anyone who could use some help. While the focus of the holiday is spending time with family and loved ones, eating a wonderful meal, watching football, and starting holiday shopping, it is also important to remember others in need and take the time to make someone else's day a little brighter.

My best wishes to all of you for a wonderful Thanksgiving and for passing along the good fortune of your life with others who may need your help over the holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving!