Some things never go out of style, and with Cookie Crunch having been celebrated at the dental school since the 1970s, it’s safe to say this event is one of them.
“The long-standing tradition of the Cookie Crunch at the School of Dentistry began as a ‘thank you’ to our students for choosing the dental school and to provide them with something homemade after a long semester away from family, and before they took on the challenges of final exams,” says Danita Johnson, Student Services Coordinator, Office of Student Programs.
The dental school’s Staff Council hosted the event on December 7. Amid the buzz of faculty, staff and students, were tables lined with trays of baked goods from end to end.
“Over the years there have been different variations of the Cookie Crunch,” Johnson continues, “but the success of the Cookie Crunch has always been because of the faculty and staff who have provided contributions of baked goods, candy, and cash donations. To this day the foundation holds true – it’s about giving our students a taste of something homemade.”
Alec Zier, Executive Assistant, Dean’s Office and Staff Council President, says the event that was once foreign to him grew to be one he anticipates.
“When I first started at the School of Dentistry a little over 5 years ago, Cookie Crunch seemed like an odd event to me,” says Zier, “but I love cookies, so didn’t ask questions. Now I see it as a time for faculty, staff, and students to pause for moment of levity and fellowship during a stressful time of the semester. While the organizers and specifics of Cookie Crunch have changed a bit over the years, I look forward to it every year.”
Some of those organizers, Jamie Charles, Business Office Support Assistant, and Jade Townsend, Dental Front Desk and Staff Council Secretary, also shared in the love of the event.
Charles (pictured above, middle) celebrated her fifth Cookie Crunch this year. “I love Cookie Crunch! One of the things that I enjoy most about the event is the excitement we can see and feel from the students,” she says, “They actually start hanging around 20 minutes before the event and wait with bated breath for the clock to strike 11:30 a.m.! Although it’s “just cookies,” it is a small, tangible way for us to thank our students, our customers, for choosing our school.”
Townsend (pictured above, right) is new to the dental school this year, but is already making an impact. “I have been striving to provide the best Holiday Cookie Crunch done thus far,” she says, “The year 2023 has opened many doors, becoming one of the many great Staff Council board members was one of them!” She noted the event is “set in place to reward and celebrate the hard-working dental students, giving them the opportunity to rest from all the hard work the students have accomplished throughout the year.”
View all photos from the event here.