Annual Fall Gathering Places Spotlight on Community
On an unseasonably warm and sunny Friday afternoon, hundreds of students, faculty, and staff convened on lower Parrish Beach to celebrate the start of a new academic year at the Fall Community Gathering. Now in its fifth year, the annual event gives members of the College community a chance interact with both new and familiar faces.
During the event, President Valerie Smith offered her thanks to the College Dining Services staff in particular and wished students the best in their academic endeavors. “It’s always a great time to come together at the start of a new semester,” says Smith, who then encouraged community members to step outside of their comfort zones and meet new people.
After Smith’s introduction, event-goers enjoyed a barbecue lunch of burgers, hot dogs, and an assortment of salad. Student DJs added to the atmosphere with upbeat music as community members ate and engaged in conversation.
Now an upperclassman, David Xu ’18 believes the event helps him reflect upon his time as a student. “We shouldn’t take [events like] this for granted,” says Xu. “There are so many amazing people at this school and we should all try to reach out and meet as many as we can.”
