It might just be a free meal, but to President Chuck Staben, it”s a time for community.
Bob”s Place will host the second annual University Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 25 inside Bob”s Place.
The event is free and open to students, families of all sizes and anyone in the community.
Staben and his wife, Mary Beth Staben, brought this event to life for the first time last year.
“My wife and I felt that a Thanksgiving dinner was an important event for campus,” Staben said. “Especially for our international students who often haven”t had traditional American food.”
Staben said the meal is an opportunity to experience a community and participate in a fun American tradition.
Last year, about 250 people attended the event. Many UI departments sponsor the dinner, including Vandal Dining, Housing and Residence Life, the Department of Student Affairs, the Dean of Students Office, the International Programs Office and the Office of the President.
Eliska Reimannova, an international student from Belgium, attended the dinner last year and plans to attend this year with her co-workers from the International Programs Office.
“This event is a wonderful opportunity for international students to try traditional food served for the American Thanksgiving holiday,” Reimannova said. “If they have nothing else planned for Thanksgiving, it”s definitely a great event to attend to experience this special holiday.”
Reimannova said she chose UI because she loves the small-town feel of Moscow and the friendly community. She said university events get all students involved and allows them to make incredible memories.
Staben said the event is especially important for students who live far away from home or who may not have experienced the traditional American Thanksgiving dinner before.
Last year, Mary Beth was able to attend the event, but Chuck could not.
Staben said his wife observed that a fair number of students didn”t know what cranberry dressing is, and that it was a new cultural experience for them.
Reimannova said last year”s dishes included turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, pumpkin pie and a strawberry cheesecake.
This year, Staben will be attending the event and said he is eager to spend the time with students and the community.
“I am kind of one of those people that likes to sit around the table, talk with them, eat dinner with them and those sorts of things. I think a lot of people like to do that,” Staben said. “The dining table is a human experience.”
Reimannova said she appreciates this event and believes that other international students do as well.
“I love that all special holidays in America, especially Thanksgiving as it”s so unique to any other culture,” Reimannova said.
Diamond Koloski can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @diamond_uidaho