Four years ago, James Brownson, the University of Idaho director of annual giving, realized that while there was an event where students could thank scholarship and grant donors, nothing similar existed for UI”s faculty and staff.
“We were looking at ways to say thanks to faculty and staff for everything they do for the university and for students,” Brownson said. “We felt that a personal thank you from a student would go a long way to make faculty and staff feel valued.”
Once the idea had been established, Brownson partnered with the Student Foundation and Student Alumni Relation Board (SArb) to make the event a reality.
Wil Everly, Student Foundation president, has participated in the last three Days of Thanks. He said each year, the Student Foundation and SArb set up a table outside the Idaho Commons where students can write personal notes to faculty and staff or share their appreciation by leaving messages on whiteboards.
The fourth annual Day of Thanks will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Idaho Commons plaza.
“This year, we”ll have a table outside of the commons with doughnuts and coffee in the morning and pizza throughout the day,” Everly said. “Students have the opportunity to write specific thank-yous to professors or just to say thank you as a whole. We take pictures and post them on the university”s Facebook page.”
While messages shared on whiteboards and posted on social media have been a successful way to reach a broader audience, Brownson said he has also received positive feedback from faculty members who have been sent handwritten letters.
“It”s just the idea of getting a handwritten thank you note from a student,” Brownson said. “They”ll keep those cards around on their shelves or on their desks for quite some time.”
Everly, a third-year business and economics major, said he believes the event is important because it prompts students to take a few moments to reflect on their experiences with UI faculty and staff members.
“Just saying thank you can go so far, and everyone has a certain professor or faculty or staff member who has impacted them,” Everly said. “We get so wrapped up in keeping track of classes and other obligations, no matter how much we intend to give that thanks, sometimes it gets put down to the bottom of the to-do list.”
Brownson said every year, they receive only positive feedback from faculty and staff.
“You can send an institutional message, but to have that thank you come from a student, the people we”re here to support and help in their educational journey, to have that message come directly from them is much more practical,” Brownson said.
Two years ago, Everly and other Day of Thanks participants made an effort to personally thank the UI Facilities staff.
“We went through the facilities offices and thanked a lot of the staff, and I think we had a few staff members who were so touched, it brought them to tears,” Everly said. “It was nice to see how much our appreciation was appreciated.”
This year, Everly said he hopes to see students engage with the event, whether that be through stopping by the table to write a note of appreciation to faculty and staff or through taking a moment to send an email to someone they appreciate.
“I would really encourage students to come make sure they stop by our table and give a special thanks,” Everly said. “The day can even be used as an excuse to send an email to someone here at the university that”s impacted you, to let them know.”
Corrin Bond can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CorrBond