2008 Woodie Awards
Kennedy hosts student open house
UM president welcomes 200 for holiday party
Meghan Hayward
Issue date: 12/10/07 Section: News
More than 200 students gathered at President Kennedy's house on Tuesday night for his annual student holiday open house.
"This house means a lot to the students and to the university," Kennedy said. "This is only one of several times I will be opening my home this holiday season."
Several student fraternities, sororities and organizations on campus were invited to the open house. While University of Maine student groups were specifically invited, Kennedy said any student interested in attending would be welcome.
Students were greeted with several holiday decorations ranging from a tree that stood taller than eight feet to poinsettias and numerous other decorations.
Guests enjoyed eggnog and hot and cold refreshments that were prepared and served by Black Bear Catering.
Several students took the event as an opportunity to visit with Kennedy. Christi Holmes of the Sophomore Owls was excited to have the chance to go to President Kennedy's house.
"I think it is important to talk with President Kennedy and other important people, while also having the opportunity to spend time with your friends," Holmes said.
While the students were excited about meeting Kennedy, he was just as thrilled to have the chance to mingle with them.
"This is really all about the students," Kennedy said. "I enjoy seeing how their semester has gone so far and how they're doing since finals week is quickly approaching."
Kennedy sees the open house as a good way to get to know the students on a more personal level and gain a better idea of what student groups on campus are doing.
"With my schedule, it is sometimes difficult to communicate one-on-one with students since there are so many," Kennedy said. "This open house seemed like the perfect way to fix that problem and I felt during the holidays would be the best time."
Holmes said she was enjoying herself at the party and even got a picture taken with the president. She came up with the idea of 101 things you should do while at UMaine and the Sophomore Owls compiled the list on a poster. Holmes was happy that she was able to show President Kennedy a project she and the Sophomore Owls worked on. Getting a degree was at the bottom of the list they compiled.
Kennedy was impressed with the idea and thought it was fantastic.
"It's these types of things that make University of Maine students so unique and special. We have a talented campus," he said.
After the student holiday open house, Kennedy had to get ready for the faculty open house which was held on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The only difference in the faculty open house was that most faculty members could only drop by for a short time during their lunch break or when they didn't have a class to teach, therefore, not all professors interested in attending are able to stay the entire three hours.
Kennedy is still happy he has the occasion to visit with both students and staff. "It is something that I always look forward to and I can't wait to do it again next year," he said.
"This house means a lot to the students and to the university," Kennedy said. "This is only one of several times I will be opening my home this holiday season."
Several student fraternities, sororities and organizations on campus were invited to the open house. While University of Maine student groups were specifically invited, Kennedy said any student interested in attending would be welcome.
Students were greeted with several holiday decorations ranging from a tree that stood taller than eight feet to poinsettias and numerous other decorations.
Guests enjoyed eggnog and hot and cold refreshments that were prepared and served by Black Bear Catering.
Several students took the event as an opportunity to visit with Kennedy. Christi Holmes of the Sophomore Owls was excited to have the chance to go to President Kennedy's house.
"I think it is important to talk with President Kennedy and other important people, while also having the opportunity to spend time with your friends," Holmes said.
While the students were excited about meeting Kennedy, he was just as thrilled to have the chance to mingle with them.
"This is really all about the students," Kennedy said. "I enjoy seeing how their semester has gone so far and how they're doing since finals week is quickly approaching."
Kennedy sees the open house as a good way to get to know the students on a more personal level and gain a better idea of what student groups on campus are doing.
"With my schedule, it is sometimes difficult to communicate one-on-one with students since there are so many," Kennedy said. "This open house seemed like the perfect way to fix that problem and I felt during the holidays would be the best time."
Holmes said she was enjoying herself at the party and even got a picture taken with the president. She came up with the idea of 101 things you should do while at UMaine and the Sophomore Owls compiled the list on a poster. Holmes was happy that she was able to show President Kennedy a project she and the Sophomore Owls worked on. Getting a degree was at the bottom of the list they compiled.
Kennedy was impressed with the idea and thought it was fantastic.
"It's these types of things that make University of Maine students so unique and special. We have a talented campus," he said.
After the student holiday open house, Kennedy had to get ready for the faculty open house which was held on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The only difference in the faculty open house was that most faculty members could only drop by for a short time during their lunch break or when they didn't have a class to teach, therefore, not all professors interested in attending are able to stay the entire three hours.
Kennedy is still happy he has the occasion to visit with both students and staff. "It is something that I always look forward to and I can't wait to do it again next year," he said.
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