Fun and Friends at First Dean’s Winterfest

Salus Student Ambassadors often play a more specific, traditional role when participating in annual University events, engaging with alumni and connecting with prospective students. But on Friday, January 20, they were praised by the University’s dean of Student Affairs Dr. James Caldwell for planning their own inaugural event, Dean’s Winterfest 2017.

“It was a great afternoon,” he said. “The event exceeded my expectations, all because of the creativity and enthusiasm of our Salus Student Ambassadors.”

Despite the rain outside, it was warm and friendly from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Hafter Student Community Center, where students enjoyed a fun afternoon. This will certainly not be the last in a series of this type of event with the dean.

There were plenty of activities, including an ugly sweater contest, minute-to-win-it games, a giving tree where participants hung 2017 resolutions, cookie and tealight decorating, and selfies with the dean in front of overgrown snowmen and a winterized Sal. On the food side, comfort was the theme of the day, with corn dogs, chicken nuggets, ravioli, s’mores, and two “make your own” bars—one savory, macaroni and cheese, and one sweet, hot cocoa—with a variety of toppings.

“I thought it would be fun to have a few hours to enjoy food and friends and move us through the doldrums of January,” Dr. Caldwell said.

According to Monae Kelsey, associate director of Student Engagement and assistant director of Admissions, the premise of the event started with a small idea that transitioned to a larger scale to show the Office of Student Affairs in a different light—one not so serious. The goal was for students to interact with Dr. Caldwell in a capacity they don’t get to see as often, namely, one when he is not a facilitator of the University’s policies. 

“We wanted a more casual experience, for Dr. Caldwell to hang out and engage,” Kelsey said. “The event was born of an idea of a nice way for him to connect with students.”

During the event, Ryan Hollister, career services and enrollment coordinator, was available in the Hafter’s Bennett Lounge with information about the University’s CareerLink. This new career services management system and online job portal connects students and alumni with leading employers in their respective disciplines.

Winterfest also served as a drop-off for the Second Annual Winter Coat Drive hosted by the Hafter Student Community Center staff, with collected items benefitting One Warm Coat. The staff was thankful to Dr. Caldwell and Kelsey, for suggesting the cross-marketing of events and request, along with coats, for gloves, hats and scarves.

“We received an overwhelming amount of these important winter accessories,” according to Hafter Center manager Kendall Rosen. “The total coat donations more than doubled as a result of donations made during Winterfest.”

The post-Winterfest tally for the drive included: 101 coats, 71 hats, 40 pairs of gloves, 23 scarves, two pairs of wool socks, two pairs of ear muffs and two pairs of children's winter boots. The coat drive will continue through mid-February for additional donations.

During this first Winterfest, Dr. Caldwell thanked the Ambassadors for bringing the event to life. To all students, he shared the following message: “Take this in, enjoy it, and let it carry us through January.”

Photos by: Alyssa Nuyen