Hello Daybreak audience,

At this time of year, our students are focused more than ever on final projects and pretty soon final exams. This time next week, though, our students and employees will be spending time with their families and friends during the Thanksgiving break.

Often as I walk around campus I am amazed at the progress that has been made with the construction of new buildings—including two that will be finished in early 2009—and the giving spirit that exudes from our students, faculty and staff.

In the truest sense of Thanksgiving, Marietta College students have recently completed dozens of projects for Make a Difference Day and collected more than 500 pairs of tennis shoes during the Nike ReUse-A-Shoe Drive. CircleK, another group on campus, is currently organizing Christmas on Campus, which provides holiday festivities for area children who may not have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas.

It’s also important to remember that there are a number of fun opportunities planned for our students as well, including the annual Late Night Breakfast on Dec. 7. This has become one of the most popular events for our students as employees cook food, take orders and wash dishes during a pre-Finals meal from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The campus is also excited about the start of basketball season, and the many holiday concerts that the College’s choirs and bands perform over the next month.

I am extremely proud of the efforts that are being made by our community for the community as a whole, and I am most thankful to be associated with each and every one of them.

So from everyone at Marietta College, we’d like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.

(My name is Tom Perry and I am the Director of College Relations at Marietta College. I have been at the College for six years and enjoy working to promote the College and serve as its spokesperson.)