Each November, the Grewock Student Union fills with long, community tables covered in candy and pens. A welcoming blend of Christmas and pop music greets students picking through a collection of thank-you cards and taking a seat, hot chai tea steaming in hand. 

Thank-you messages fill the student-designed cards as students write to donors, professors, family, friends, and alumni about the semester. Cards fill the drop off boxes as the total count races to 4,000.

When deciding to attend Hillsdale College, freshman Lulu Celecia saw Day of Thanks highlighted online.

“I think Day of Thanks is really unique to Hillsdale,” Celecia said. “The kindness in the hearts of people here and the love of donors and others helping us through college still blows my mind. I think expressing your gratitude is always a great reminder.”

Letter-writing went from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Celecia spent every free moment of her day in the Union finishing another letter.

“I sat down here to start writing and realized how many people here I’m grateful for,” Celecia said. “So many people have already impacted my life here in the past two months. It’s like how people will say, ‘think about what you’re grateful for and you’ll have a better day.’ That’s been my day.”

According to Braden Vandyke, assistant director of alumni relations, the Hillsdale College Alumni Office co-hosts the event to further their goal of stewarding the legacy of Hillsdale College.

“Day of Thanks calls students to remembrance of all the things that we’ve had to be thankful for here,” Vandyke said. “A large part of that is the financial story of Hillsdale College, where a lot of our education is footed because of people who have never visited campus before.”

Vandyke believes the tradition also helps give students more perspective on their college experience.

“A lot of students can fall into the trap where they go to classes, sleep, study, and repeat,” Vandyke said. “This event gives them the space to step aside and see the bigger picture of Hillsdale College and Thanksgiving.”

Along with reflecting on their blessings, Day of Thanks offered a space for students to gather together. With the help of SAB, snacks and long tables fostered a community space. 

“I think it’s a great place to foster friendships with other people and even meet new people,” senior and SAB event leader Katie Weis said. “I think it highlights campus culture well because you see people from all across campus come in to write a card.” 

According to Weis, the length of the event and amount of cards continue to grow each year as more students embrace the tradition.

“I remember coming to this my freshman year and it was my favorite event,” Weis said. “I think it helps students give back to the college and to those who give so much to us.”