Thanksgiving is a time to spend time with family and friends, enjoy a delicious meal, and give thanks for all of the things that are important in one’s life. With so many students, staff and faculty traveling for the holiday, the Saint Peter’s College campus can become a quiet place on Thanksgiving. However the students and members of the College community that do not have a place to go for the holiday still have the chance to celebrate this American tradition thanks to David S. Surrey, Ph.D., professor and chairman of the sociology and urban studies department at Saint Peter’s College.
Dr. Surrey opens up his home in Montclair, N.J. to create a heartfelt gathering of faculty, staff, alumni, friends and family. This tradition has been in place for 27 years and continues to garner a positive reception from the College community. This year, Dr. Surrey expects approximately 50 guests including faculty, domestic and international students.
“Each year a different group within the College seems to be introduced to this event,” said Dr. Surrey. “This year a number of the guests are international students from the Saint Peter’s College soccer team.”
Players from the soccer team are from all across the world from Bolivia to Australia to England and Nigeria. Since many of the students will not be making the long journey home for this American holiday, they will be learning about the customs and traditions alongside Dr. Surrey and his family.
Dr. Surrey and his son will utilize the College’s vans to pick-up students from the Jersey City campus and transport them to his home for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. In order to support this celebration, several faculty and staff have contributed food or made monetary donations. This long-standing tradition grew from Dr. Surrey’s childhood experience of opening his home to those without a place to go and is a true reflection of the mission of Saint Peter’s College.