Student Government hosts first staff appreciation lunch

by Caleb Lubbers–Around sixty Morningside University’s professional staff team members enjoyed a free catered lunch Thursday afternoon on the main floor of Buhler Rohlfs Hall, courtesy of the Morningside Student Government.

This was the first-ever Staff Appreciation Lunch, sponsored by the Morningside Student Government. Members of the professional staff team were treated to food from Olive Garden, including salads, pasta, breadsticks, and soups. Dessert and drinks were also provided.

Emma Hannasch, the Vice President of Student Life and head of the Morningside Activities Council, coordinated the event and helped serve food.

“I feel having a staff appreciation lunch is necessary because a lot of tasks and jobs the staff has are not seen by the broader community, and a lot of it is done behind the scenes. Our staff deserves credit and recognition for all they do around campus,” Hannasch said.

The lunch seemed to go over well with those in attendance, with many offering positive feedback and expressing their gratitude for the event.

Maddie Wright, Work Study and Scholarship Coordinator, said, “It was a really nice gesture from the student body, and it really made us feel appreciated.”

Jon Kirsch, an administrative assistant in the graduate nursing department, said, “It was a great way for us to meet and interact with others from different departments. It helps create the community feel and is what really makes Morningside so special.”

Once Cassie Chilton, an admissions counselor, heard it was Olive Garden that staff would be having for lunch, she immediately texted the admissions group chat. Everyone in the group chat was ecstatic. 

Danielle Fennessy, area coordinator for student success and Morningside Student Government advisor, was also in attendance. 

“This was really an important thing to do because the staff works so closely with our students. It’s important to build these relationships because our success is closely related to each other,” Fennessy said.

Hannasch and other members of the Morningside Student Government were encouraged by the positive feedback and indicated a willingness to do this again in the future.