Greasy pizza and sweet poetry may not go hand in hand, but in the English Department, they marry well.
The English and ESL Department came together to throw a party on Valentine’s Day with the intent of bringing students and faculty together.
English Department Chair Donna Accardo said the Valentine’s Day Pizza and Poetry event was created to welcome students to Pierce, and let them know that the campus is full of welcoming faces. Students got to mingle with other students and staff while enjoying pizza, cupcakes and other snacks.
“It’s Valentine’s Day, how could you not have a party?” Accardo said.
Accardo baked chocolate cupcakes for the event and said she was happy that everyone enjoyed all the treats.
“Students succeed more when they feel like they are a part of a community,” Accardo said.
English Professor Maria Bates said she was happy with the outcome of the event and enjoys finding new ways to connect with her students
“I think it’s a nice opportunity to provide a lot of these chances for students to connect with their professors and hopefully see that we are there for them and care about them outside of class, not just inside the classroom,” Bates said. “Doing these types of events makes students a little more relaxed.”
Bates said that it helps students connect with their professors when they are taken out of the context of a classroom and are allowed to be equals.
“I think It’s a special opportunity to really get to know my students,” Bates said.
Sisters Parenda Foroghi and Pantea Forooghi are attending their first semester of college at Pierce, and said they were pleased with the event.
“I want to explore the college and make friends. I enjoy the environment and the students and professors,” Foroghi said.
