Ask a Titan: Giving thanks
As the Detroit Mercy community celebrates Thanksgiving this week, Marketing & Communications student intern Sam Gillmore asked several Titans about their holiday traditions and who they are thankful for at the University.
Here's what they had to say:
Amanda Carswell
Year: Senior
Major: Biology
What is your Thanksgiving tradition?
Normally, elders cook while we play games and eat. And we make sure to put up the Christmas tree. This year, I am cooking a little more. I’m making three dishes: fresh cranberry sauce, string beans and helping my mom with candied yams.
Who are you thankful for at Detroit Mercy?
Actually, all my professors. Ever since I transferred here, they have all been very helpful. I am thankful for my classmates who are nice, and for our teamwork. Most importantly, I am thankful for the administration and my professors!
Favour Nwaneri
Year: Junior
Major: Nursing
What is your Thanksgiving tradition?
My Thanksgiving tradition is gathering my family members and preparing traditional foods together. We come together in a family home to eat and catch up. We get to eat and laugh together like we never left. We embark on memories and make space for new ones.
Who are you thankful for at Detroit Mercy?
I’m thankful for all the new friends and lifelong bonds I’ve made. I’m also thankful for some of the faculty who have built me into the person I am today.
Joseph Crandall
Year: Junior
Major: Biology
What is your Thanksgiving tradition?
I spend Thanksgiving with family. We eat food, and then I go Black Friday shopping.
Who are you thankful for at Detroit Mercy?
I am thankful for all my friends and a lot of my professors. And shout out to UDM Pride!
Jaclyn Martin
Position: Detroit Mercy Bookstore Barista
What is your Thanksgiving tradition?
I cook about 10 pies. I cook dinner for my family and do desserts for the rest of my family and deliver them. Me and my kids watch movies and set up the Christmas tree.
Who are you thankful for at Detroit Mercy?
For the whole year? My favorite boss, Nancy. I am very thankful for that woman.
Ciera Miller
Year: Senior
Major: Political Science
What is your Thanksgiving tradition?
Normally I celebrate Thanksgiving with family. We all meet up and we bring different dishes and hang out for the night. Older people will drink wine and the kids will go play and we all eat dinner together.
Who are you thankful for at Detroit Mercy?
My advisor, Genevieve Myers. She was one of the first people I met here and has been the most consistent person in my time here.
Anasia Staley
Year: Junior
Major: Nursing
What is your Thanksgiving tradition?
My Thanksgiving tradition is spending time with my mom and my little brother. Every year, we cook or go over to a family member’s house. It’s nice to catch up on things with my mom and be able to cook certain dishes with her as well.
Who are you thankful for at Detroit Mercy?
I am thankful for all the friends that I have made here and the bonds that we have created.
Jaylin Brown
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology
What is your Thanksgiving tradition?
My mother always makes a lot of food for Thanksgiving, so our tradition is that we’ll be eating Thanksgiving for about a week or two after, off leftovers alone!
Who are you thankful for at Detroit Mercy?
I am thankful for my mentor, Kristen Abraham. She’s been a monumental figure during my time here at Detroit Mercy and has helped throughout my toughest times here at the school and I will be forever grateful for her.
Hailey Ambers
Year: Junior
Major: Healthcare Administration
What is your Thanksgiving tradition?
My Thanksgiving tradition is spending the holiday with my family and playing pranks on my mom and grandma. We also spend the whole day at my aunt’s house and wait for the food to be ready (but it’s never ready until it’s time to go home). I won’t get to do that this year.
Who are you thankful for at Detroit Mercy?
I am thankful for my dog, Willow, being here at University of Detroit Mercy. I am also thankful to have all of my friends here.