Students gobble up last Decary Thanksgiving dinner served by President Ripich

UNE President Danielle Ripich donned an apron yesterday evening and served turkey dinner to throngs of students in Decary dining hall, an annual UNE tradition held a week before most students flee the campus for their hometowns to enjoy Thanksgiving with their families.

“Decary Thanksgiving,” as it is called, is a time for students to gather together with their UNE family to celebrate the holiday and experience a little pampering. “You’ve been working hard; you deserve it!” said President Ripich as she served slices of pie to a table of young men.

The event does not go unappreciated by the students. “It’s the best day on campus!” declared Jessica Colpoys (’17). “I wait the whole year for this day.”

Madison Ruopp (’17) could not agree more. “I’ve been to this every year that I’ve been on campus,” she shared. “I studied abroad one semester, and I was so sad that I missed Decary Thanksgiving.”

It was not just the last of the Decary Thanksgivings for seniors like Colpoys and Ruopp but the last for President Ripich, as well, who announced in May that she will retire after this academic year. For many students, that fact, alone, provided extra motivation to make sure they had a seat at the table. Said Erika Sawicki (’17), “I couldn’t wait to get my ticket!”

Watch highlights from the event and view a special Thanksgiving greeting

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admisisons