Faculty and staff members recovering from pie-ing, and prepare for more unrelenting pie-ing.
Around lunchtime on April 9, the sound of gleeful and mischievous laughter filled the Student Center Plaza as students were given the chance to pie some of their professors and other staff members in the face. The Salem Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) put together this event in order to fundraise for their Pennies for a Purpose campaign, which will benefit the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission. The WS Rescue Mission is a Christian “non-denominational ministry that provides services for anyone who calls on us for help, regardless of race, religion, cultural or ethnic background,” according to their website. Pies were $1, and one SAAC representative seemed incredibly optimistic about the amount of funds raised. The total amount made from selling pies was $122.61, and the Pennies for a Purpose campaign raised a total of $230.26, an incredible number that serves as a testament to how successful a fundraiser can be with the right idea at the right time.
SAAC “Pennies 4 a Purpose” poster. Photo by: Emma De Noble.
Faculty and staff participated voluntarily after SAAC reached out to them about the event. They lined up in chairs in front of the Student Center and donned plastic ponchos, awaiting their fates. Some faculty and staff wore goggles in an attempt to keep their eyes clear. Dr. Jason Robertson, along with a few other Salem employees, was not so fortunate and left the event with bloodshot eyes from all the pie-ing. The pies consisted of a simple plate of whipped cream, which Elijah Sigler commented on with the stuff smeared all over his face and beard: “I’m glad it’s whipped cream and not shaving cream, ‘cause I can like, not have shaving cream in my mouth.”
Other faculty and staff left positive reviews of the event, one being Dr. Johnna Lyons, who expressed her enthusiasm towards being able to bring joy to the student body. Sigler piped in with, “We’re helping the Rescue Mission,” while Dr. Amanda Gabrielle said, “It’s for a good cause.” Michael Williams, the Athletic Director, suggested that maybe one year the roles could be reversed, with students being pied in the face by faculty and staff. The latter, sitting around him with pie all over their faces and fronts, ardently agreed to the idea.
Students observe and participate in the fun. Photo by: Emma De Noble
Genesis Gotay ominously approaching her potential victims with dually wielded pies. Photo Credit: Emma De Noble.
