With finals week just around the corner, preparations for this semester’s Midnight Breakfast are underway. The long-standing tradition at UIndy has returned with plans for a fun-filled evening that will give students the opportunity to relax and enjoy time with their peers
One of the leaders helping to oversee the event again this year is Director of Student Activities Stephanie Barry. According to Barry, this year’s Midnight Breakfast will include a prize giveaway by Residence Hall Association, a karaoke, a performance by singer/pianist Matt Beilis, customized ornaments with students’ photos and a free breakfast served at midnight.
Unlike previous years of the event in the Schwitzer Student Center, this year’s event will be missing the familiar face of retired long-time food service director and supporter of Midnight Breakfast, Ted Polk, who retired last year following 41 years of service at the university. Barry said she is confident, that food wise, everything will run smoothly under new management, but that Polk’s smiling face is something that will be irreplaceable.
Campus Program Board Major Events Chair Regina Spielmann is also leading this event. Spielmann, who has helped lead the event before, said that she expects an improvement in attendance this year because of the increased number of activities.
“I think last year’s attendance was kind of low. It was the first year we [CPB] didn’t give out T-shirts, so I don’t know if that was the reason, or if people were just not coming out because maybe it was too cold or something,” she said. “But I think this year, the karaoke will bring a lot of people and then RHA is giving away some awesome prizes as always. They [RHA] are giving away a bike and some different things they have not given away in past years. So that should be really cool and bring people out.”
Barry said that all proceeds from tickets for the drawing of prizes in the RHA giveaway will be donated to Exodus Refugee Immigration, a nonprofit organization that provides refugees in Indiana with benefits, to help them start their new lives. According to Barry, each student will receive one free ticket when he or she arrives, and then can purchase more tickets to increase the odds of winning a prize.
According to Spielmann, students can begin showing up at the Schwitzer Student Center atrium at 8 p.m., which is when the karaoke and making of customized ornaments will begin. Spielmann said that the karaoke will continue until 10 p.m. that night, while the ornaments will last until 11 p.m. Spielmann said that from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Beilis will take the stage to perform, followed by the prize giveaway at 11 p.m. After the prize giveaway, Spielmann said, the cafeteria doors will open at midnight for students to receive their free breakfast.
Barry said that the annual breakfast is one of the most recognized traditions at the university, and she hopes students will continue making it successful by attending.
“It’s a great way to celebrate the end of the year,” she said. “It’s been a very busy semester this year. We had Homecoming Week, then we had the blackout game, [and then the beginning of construction on] the Health Pavilion. So a lot of excitement rolled up into one [semester]. We are really moving forward as a university, so I think it is a good time to take a break and celebrate before the end of the semester. I think Midnight Breakfast is one of those events that appeals to everybody, to build community.”
Midnight Breakfast will take place in the Schwitzer Student Center atrium on Monday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m.
