UTA Thanksgiving tradition features a feast and gratitude

Wednesday, Nov 22, 2023 • Cristal Gonzalez : contact

An annual campus-wide Thanksgiving feast brought together more than 1,000 University of Texas at Arlington students, faculty and staff, who shared a meal and gratitude with their fellow Mavericks.

Mother and daughter Linda and Vanessa Arredondo, senior education major and freshman computer engineering major, respectively, said they are both thankful for each other and the opportunities they have at UTA.

“I’m thankful for UTA because it has opened a lot of doors for me, and I know it will open a lot of doors for my daughter, too,” Linda Arredondo said. “This year, I’m thankful to God for another day and another year of life.”

They shared their Thanksgiving meal with new and old friends.

“Not only am I here with my mom, but also her friends and a new friend we made waiting in line,” Vanessa Arredondo said.

The UTA Thanksgiving dinner began in 2017, starting as an annual potluck that the Office of International Education organized for international and study abroad students to introduce them to the American Thanksgiving experience. UTA has approximately 6,000 international students from more than 100 countries. In the spirit of the holiday, the University has since expanded the dinner to invite all students, faculty and staff.

Fariza Tanvir, a student assistant in global engagement within the Office of International Education, is from Bangladesh. She said she is thankful for her family back home and for her friends at UTA.

“I really appreciate the community I have found because of the global engagement department,” said Tanvir. “Because we can’t buy a plane ticket home, it’s nice to have something like this and have the UTA community.”

The elaborate menu included traditional favorites like turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes, as well as a variety of sides and desserts.

“I really like Thanksgiving, and I’m really excited for this meal and pumpkin pie,” said senior Jonathan Wiening.

First-year roommates Arnold Hernandez and Dylan Frazier wanted to share a meal before the holiday break.

“I’m thankful for all the friends I’ve met at UTA, and I’m thankful for my parents and my sister for always supporting me going to college,” Hernandez said.

Lowell Davis, vice president of student affairs, said his first Thanksgiving dinner at UTA was a phenomenal success.

“I’m thankful for all the faculty and staff and all the work they do to support our students,” Davis said. “We have so many people here today to wish all our students well, and this is a great moment to thank everyone for the continuous support of our students.”