Long lines at Late Night Breakfast

More than 1,000 students lined up late last night for the 30th annual Late Night Breakfast, sponsored by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. With the event held for the first time in the University Union ballroom, the serving line extended from the third-floor, down the stairs, past the ID Center and throughout much of the second floor.

No one seemed to mind though. Free pancakes are free pancakes. Beats studying for finals.

“There is a reason we've been doing this for 30 years. It's different. It's fun,” said Don Mills, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, who greeted students as they climbed the stairs to the third floor and passed out plastic utencils wrapped in green and red paper napkins. “Students are in a festive mood and have reason to celebrate – the end of semester is at hand.”

Provost Nowell Donovan agreed: “I think they enjoy interacting with the faculty and staff in a different way outside the classroom. And free food is probably a good enticement, too.”

The event provides students with a study break during finals week. About two dozen faculty and staff members dished out breakfast staples such as eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, muffins, orange juice, water and coffee.

Food Services’ Rick Flores estimated they served more than 5,000 pancakes.

Among the faculty/staff servers were Danny Morrison, Athletics Director and Brian Gutierrez, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration.

Students, new and not so new, relished the chance to do something other than study.

“This is really fun. It takes the stress away for a little while,” said Michelle Altenberg, a freshman strategic communication major from Joshua, Texas. “It’s really good for people low on their dining plan.”

At the back of the line, Ashley Iszkun and Courtney Brown were waiting patiently for their turn.

“It’s worth the wait,” said Brown, a senior accounting major from Midland. “It’s a moment to relax. ”

“It's a tradition: I came here as a freshman. I’m coming here as a senior. I wouldn’t miss this,” said Iszkun, a senior advertising/public relations major from Denver.

- Rick