Party with the President

(not the actual buffet)

Dickinson State University President Vickers and his wife hosted a "holiday social buffet" last Wednesday night, and Susan and I attended. It was at the Elks lodge (very nicely decorated for Christmas, by the way), and it was very fun. Mrs. Vickers greeted us at the door, and President Vickers greeted us once we stepped into the ballroom. We were told how great it is to have us in Dickinson and at DSU (the President mentioned specific things I have done for DSU!), and we were invited to enter, get food, and socialize. The place was packed with DSU faculty, staff, and their spouses or guests. We had wondered in advance whether it would be uncomfortable to search there for someone I knew for us to sit with, but I was surprised to know the vast majority of people there because of having worked with so many different departments and units on campus this semester.

One table had punch, cider, and flavored coffees. One table had sandwiches, fruit, and a hot fruit dip with Brie cheese and nuts in it. One table had vegetables, deviled eggs, three varieties of herb-encrusted smoked salmon, and garlic toast rounds. One table had hot hors d'oeuvre: meatballs in barbecue sauce, mini tomales, mini quiches, etc. One table had every variety of dessert and holiday sweet imaginable. And the bar was available for people wishing to purchase alcoholic beverages. It was quite the delicious spread.

We went from table to table, visiting people I (or Susan, in a couple cases) knew and meeting others whom we didn't. We sat at a table that, as people came and went, ended up populated with most of the faculty from the nursing department. At the end of the evening, the Vickerses drew names for door prizes: they gave away the elaborate centerpieces on several of the tables (no winners here, though).

It was another opportunity for Susan and me to go out together, an opportunity for her to meet several of the people whom I work with, and a chance to socialize with people whom I otherwise know in only a limited fashion--through our workplace interactions. What a great event!