A potluck evening with table full of traditional food was the focus of a Friendsgiving event created by Phi Theta Kappa students from two campuses.
The event was planned by the Vice Presidents of Fellowship, Valentine Anuligo from North Lake and Jacqueline Sastre from Brookhaven.
Students were encouraged to contribute at least one dish for the Nov. 6 event. Everyone embraced the tradition wholeheartedly.
The feast featured an array of dishes like rice, barbequed brisket, chicken, pasta, salad, soft drinks and a variety of desserts including cupcakes, sugar cookies, tarts and pies, making the evening truly special.
“It was wonderful. I got to know more people,” said Fernanda Hernandez, a psychology student at North Lake Campus. “I really liked it because, as I’m Hispanic, I obviously have this whole culture. But then thinking outside of my culture, and looking at other cultures and other, you know, food traditions, people. I really like to meet people [from] around the world. So that was special,”
Hernandez encouraged new students and high school students at Dallas College to attend campus events. She said meeting new people can help students build a network and make friends.
She praised PTK for bringing students together to celebrate diversity and get out of their comfort zones.
Spacegiving was out of this world
The Thanksgiving-themed event hosted by Student Programs and Campus Engagement (SPACE) on Nov. 14 brought North Lake students together for a traditional holiday meal and the opportunity to socialize.
“We had a Thanksgiving event planned and we were trying to figure out what is the easiest way to do something for Thanksgiving that would bring fellowship and have a lot of people just come get some food, hang out,” SPACE Commander Benjamin Donnells said. “And we thought, ‘Well, why don’t we just do a classic Thanksgiving dinner?’”
They served an afternoon feast of traditional roasted turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, beans, corns, pasta salad, peach and pumpkin cobbler.
The SPACE team also had fun playing Nintendo games (Mario Kart and Pokémon) against North Lake students.
McDonnell said the event was part of a plan to build a stronger, more connected community through Student Life.
“Student Life is here to help with engagement,” McConnell said.
He encouraged students to talk with student leaders about their ideas for fun events and activities on campus. The food and games were a popular combination.
“I got to hang out with my friends, some new friends as well, and I’m enjoying it. It’s fun,” Hani Bangash, an electrical engineering major at North Lake said. “My favorite part? I think the food was great, and just, you know, talking to my friends was great.”
Bangash hoped the event would become a recurring tradition at North Lake.
“I like the atmosphere here,” Matthew Duncil, a nursing major said. He enjoyed the food and hanging out with his friends. “Definitely every year, it would be good.”
This was Duncil’s first in-person event at North Lake since he took online classes last year. He admired the vibrant atmosphere, food and the opportunity to connect with his friends.
“We try to help students destress, especially around the holiday times,” Donnells said. “It’s kind of hard because we have classes are starting to wrap up to our finals.”
Donnells added that SPACE is trying to encourage students to return to campus for more than just classes.
“Our takeaway here is really just, ‘hey, our campus alive. Come enjoy it,’” he said.
Both these events highlighted the importance of campus engagement to build friendships and professional connections.
Events like these tend to bring everyone together to celebrate the season, connect and share a good time. Face-to-face moments like these can inspire more students to get involved and enjoy being a part of a supportive, connected community.
