Today@Dal

Just as Dal's campuses began to grow quieter with the departure of many staff, faculty and students for the holidays, a murmur emerged in Howe Hall Sunday night as a group of international students remaining here over the break gathered for a night of food and fun.

Hosted by the Dalhousie alumni chapter of Halifax, the President's Office, the Office of Advancement as well as the Dal International Student Association and Dal's International Centre, the traditional East Coast Holiday dinner was a chance for those international students not returning home to enjoy a taste of turkey and the trimmings.

At least 90 students attended the inaugural dinner, which went from idea to reality in a few short weeks, says Halifax alumni chapter co-chair Mark Little (BSc '06).

"It was incredible," says Little, with a special shout-out to Food Services staff for preparing the family-style dinner complete with halal turkey and gravy for those 40 students who had requested it.

Other dishes offered up included seafood chowder, shepherd's pie, and all the other fixings one might expect at a traditional East Coast dinner.

Fellow chapter co-chair, Lyle Quinn (BA '14), Dal Alumni Association President, Courtney Larkin (BMgmt '10), and others joined in the festivities, as did Dal President Richard Florizone and his wife and two daughters.

Little says the event wouldn't have been possible without the support of Dr. Florizone's office as well as the help of Bill Chernin and others in the Office of Advancement.

The event was such a success, says Little, that the local chapter has already begun planning next year's dinner.

The Halifax alumni chapter was formed this past September with the goal of creating opportunities for Dal alumni in Halifax to stay connected to the university and each other. You can find them on Twitter @DalAlumniHFX. 

(Images: Handout)