On Thursday, April 23 live music and grateful students filled the on-campus dining commons.
The first-ever DC Appreciation Day was held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to honor and thank all of the employees at the Zorn Dining Commons [DC].
At the event the 200 DC employees were recognized and given gifts, two bands provided live music and there was also a cake.
Students also had the chance to write what they love about the DC on the “DC Love Board.”
Sophomore Nick Torantore, who organized the event along with the help from friends, explained that this was something he has wanted to do for a long time.
“We also made a banner that read ‘The love you take is equal to the love you make,’ which are lyrics from a Beatles song,” Torantore explained.
Torantore said he thought this was the perfect saying to help people realize they should spread love to those they are grateful for.
He said, “They give us so much all the time so it’s time for us to give back.”
“We wanted to host the event after Pumpkin Fest, but it was a debt that was never settled and I felt like we needed that here,” he said.
He continued, “[The DC employees] cook for us every day and many people don’t acknowledge them as much as I feel they should. They’re all really nice, interesting people and I feel like they needed to stand out and finally be celebrated.”
Josef Quirinale, general manager of dining services on campus, said Torantore organized this event to
Tim Smith / Photo Editor
make sure the staff know how much they are appreciated by the students of Keene State College.
Quirinale said many students don’t realize that DC employees still come into work on days of inclimate weather and on holidays.
He said unfortunately all the staff was not able to be in the DC at the time of the event, considering some employees started their shift at 5:30 a.m., but he said the staff of the DC felt very excited and honored.
“It’s a great thing, we do what we do because it’s our job but we enjoy doing what we do, we don’t ask for this type of appreciation,” he said.
“Most, if not all, of the staff enjoy doing what they do and seeing the students, and the students become almost family to them. Actually, when you think about it, students see us more than their professors because many of them are in here three or four times a day,” he continued.
Torantore said he got really good feedback from the staff at the DC and they were excited to see their gifts.
He explained their gifts, which were hand-written letters and a crystal in hand-decorated boxes. Torantore explained that crystals, put simply, enhance ones vibrations, which in result lets them radiate ‘good vibes’ and helps in healing emotionally, physically, mentally or spiritually.
Chelsea Harris, KSC senior, said she really liked the idea of having DC Appreciation Day.
“I think it’s important because they’re a big deal on this campus. They feed us, they’re reliable and they’re always nice and welcoming,” she said.
She added, “Thank you [DC employees] for making us food, dealing with us and always coming in regardless of what the weather is.”
On DC Appreciation Day Harris said she wrote a message on the DC Love Board and said thank you to all of the employees. On the DC Love Board Torantore said people wrote foods they liked, nice things about the staff and notes specific to staff members thanking and praising them.
Student Ian Travis Mcnahon also wrote a message on the DC Love Board.
“I wrote ‘I enjoy the love that’s given to us’,” he said.
He said he is grateful for those who work at the DC.
“The employees make us food every day so they definitely deserve some appreciation and acknowledgment,” he added.
He continued, “They always deal with us, whether we’re happy, sad or tired, and they always have a smile on their face.”
For DC Appreciation Day he said he was going to help clean up a table with trash and dishes left on it to help out the staff. Torantore said the goal of this event was to demonstrate how easy it is to show appreciation for one another and be grateful.
“I hope they saw that it’s not hard to appreciate people and it’s fun too,” he said. He said he thinks it is important for people to be grateful and show appreciation for not just DC workers, but for everyone.
Taylor Thomas can be contacted at tthomas@kscequinox.com
