Friday, December 11, 2009

Teachers dish it up at Study Day Breakfast

BY JENNA CAPELLE
Cardinal Staff

The night before finals begin, study day, teachers dish up late-night breakfast to students instead of papers and exams.

This event, known as the Study Day Breakfast, is an opportunity for students to interact with faculty and staff outside of the classroom. Students attend this breakfast for several different reasons: it serves as a savior from studying, it is a chance to catch a fourth meal, and it is a way to reenergize before to continuing preparing for finals. The breakfast is a distinctive Saint Mary’s University event that is not offered at every college.

“The breakfast is a delightful social experience for new faculty to get to know the students,” said Dr. Thomas Mans, vice president for academic affairs, who has been working with the Study Day Breakfast for the last three years. “The event expresses the unique quality of faculty at the university. It’s a Saint Mary’s tradition that shows who we are as a college, and we want everyone to be a part of it.”

The annual breakfast is popular among students, faculty and staff. The late-night occasion features Chartwells’ food service, a pack of spirited Christmas carolers and an appearance from Santa Claus. The festive carolers will be accompanied by Dr. Larry Price, assistant professor of business.

“Students are given the chance to celebrate and take a break from studying,” said Mans. “Afterwards, students are in a good frame of mind to jump into exams. I love the classic event because it’s a SMU way of doing things.”

On average, 700 students are served during the event every year. Records from the Academic Advising office state this annual event has been continued for over 20 years. The traditional Study Day Breakfast will be 10-11:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, in the Michael H. Toner Center Cafeteria.

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