USAO has announced they are hosting Friendsgiving, an event for students who are looking for a Thanksgiving meal in the comfort of campus. President Kayla Hale and Jeff Rutherford, Technical Director for Visual and Performing Arts, will host this free event Nov. 28 at 12:00 p.m. at the President’s House.
This newfound tradition began last year and was an immediate success, bringing together over forty students and faculty for the holiday.
“Students during their years here can expect to have a place to go to during the holidays if they can’t make it home, we want to let students know that they have an open and safe welcoming space,” Rutherford said.
In the past, faculty members have invited students who could not make it home for the holidays into their homes to celebrate. This includes Rutherford, who had his tradition of this while being in the military. He hosted Thanksgiving dinners for young people in the military who were not able to make it home for the holidays. Last year, President Hale heard this story and began working with Rutherford on creating Friendsgiving for USAO students.
“When I get the opportunity to create something with our own hands and our own hearts, it is incredibly satisfying, and it brings me joy that I can serve students in a different way,” Hale said.
She added that she wants everyone to know that the president’s home is also their home, and they are all welcome to attend this event.
At the previous Friendsgiving, students said they felt comfortable and relaxed hanging out with Hale and other faculty members. Everyone played games and ate Thanksgiving dinner, with the celebration lasting seven hours.
The president wanted it to be a family-style environment with homemade meals and to provide everyone with an enjoyable time. Hale wants students to know that she is there for them and Friendsgiving gives her and students the opportunity to get to know each other.
This year’s Friendsgiving will see some changes to their dinner options. They will still have traditional Thanksgiving items, but they are including more diverse foods as well. This is for international students to feel represented and at home for the event.
Hale concluded by saying she wants Friendsgiving to grow and to become a tradition that continues once she is done with USAO.
Aryanna Gassoway is a second-year English Education major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
