Graduate students give thanks at event
Liberty University’s Office of Graduate Student Life is gearing up for its first Gradsgiving event, designed to bring together graduate students in a spirit of gratitude and unity over a Thanksgiving-style meal. The event, which is scheduled for Nov. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the LaHaye Event Space, will offer a free meal, games, giveaways and connection with fellow graduate students.
Christen Gery, the director of Graduate Student Life at Liberty, shared key details about Gradsgiving, describing the event’s purpose and vision.
“At Gradsgiving, we want to go all out to make our graduate community feel appreciated this season. We want all our graduate students to feel like they belong here,” Gery said. “For Gradsgiving, we plan to have our students come together over a meal and games.”
As Gery described the purpose of Gradsgiving, she further elaborated on the broader mission of the Office of Graduate Student Life here at Liberty.
“One of the main things that we try to do for our graduate student population is build community, and one of the ways we do that is through social events,” Gery said. “We hope to get them connected as grad students because it’s so easy to isolate. With that being said, we strive to provide support services for our grads and help them build community.”
During Gradsgiving, graduate students will enjoy a homestyle Thanksgiving dinner and an array of activities to engage in.
Foods will include typical Thanksgiving-style choices such as turkey, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and more. The variety of foods offered will embody a homestyle meal for students, creating a sense of homeliness and comfort.
The event will also include a lineup of games, including a giant Ping-Pong table, Jenga, Connect 4 and cornhole. In the spirit of giving, there will also be a giveaway for sweatshirts.
Gradsgiving will also feature a designated “thankfulness area,” providing graduate students with an opportunity to get creative and express their gratitude. They can write thank-you cards to professors, friends and family members.
According to Gery, the creative vision for Gradsgiving is intended to evoke a warm and inviting atmosphere. The LaHaye Event Space will undergo a transformation, with the room adorned in piping and drapes. In the spirit of the autumn season, the room will be decorated with shades of orange and red.
“Graduate students should consider attending Gradsgiving because they get a free meal, but more importantly, it’s a chance for them to connect with fellow grads who are navigating similar seasons of life,” Gery said.
Graduate students who are interested in attending Gradsgiving should RSVP at this website. To learn more about Gradsgiving and future events, graduates can also follow this social media account.
Students can additionally follow this link to receive more information on upcoming graduate student events and announcements.
Solem is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion