A Feast of Friendship: Carnegie Mellon’s Friendsgiving Celebration
On Monday, November 17, 2025, Carnegie Mellon University came together in the spirit of gratitude for a memorable Friendsgiving celebration. Hosted by the Departments of Community Life, Wellness & Meaning Making, and Dining Services, the event welcomed students and community members alike to share a meal.
The celebration drew an impressive crowd of 500 attendees, filling the space with laughter, conversation, and the warmth of togetherness. Catered by Chartwells Higher Education, the menu offered a comforting spread of traditional holiday favorites. The star of the show was the Halal turkey, specially sourced by our partners at Scotty’s Market and the Salem butcher team. The turkey was served-up next to classic sides, such as green beans, bread stuffing, mashed potatoes and a fruit pie finale.
The spirit of the evening was beautifully captured Angela Lusk, Director of Wellness & Meaning Making Programs, who shared:
“Friendsgiving invites us to gather, to pause, and to practice gratitude. I find it's a lovely way to honor the season by savoring great food (the honey butter and biscuits—yum!), our connection to each other, and the CMU community.”
Later, Athena Martinko, Mudge Housefellow, added:
“This is my favorite event because I love seeing students from all across campus come together and take a break amongst a busy semester to enjoy each other's company, good food, and practice gratitude”.
Their words underscored the deeper meaning of the event: that Friendsgiving is not only about enjoying a meal, but also about celebrating the bonds that sustain and enrich the Carnegie Mellon experience.
As the semester continues, Friendsgiving stands as a shining example of how universities can create spaces for joy, reflection, and connection.