Christmas elves delivered a Siena mug full of hot cocoa powder and a special message to every single residential student on November 20. Actually, the elves had the day off. So...
Andy Murphy '17, assistant director of digital strategy, took, precisely, 28,163 steps on November 20 (almost 15 miles). Some of those steps were earned while climbing the steps in Hennepin Hall. Others were taken long after the sun set on Cushing Village. But all of the steps were logged in a Santa-like effort for more than 2,000 Saints.
Plenty of colleges and universities never made it to their fall reading day. Spikes in COVID-19 cases forced residential students off campus long before the end of the semester. Siena was an inspiring exception, and the College wanted to show special thanks to the residential students who fulfilled their pledge to make it happen.
One Siena mug of hot chocolate was placed on the doorstep for every residential student. In all, that amounted to 2,219 mugs delivered all over campus. Before delivery, there was assembly. The mugs arrived in pallets just one day before their scheduled delivery. And with most students leaving campus that weekend, delaying delivery (much like delaying Christmas) wasn't an option.
A team from Siena Fresh stuffed cocoa powder into small bags over the course of eight hours (above, left). Those bags were then added to the mugs, along with a message produced at the College's print shop. Then, door-to-door service.
The mugs were hand delivered to avoid the crowds that would have formed at pick-up stations. Over 11 and a half hours, Murphy (below) visited every floor in every residence hall and walked by every town house. Colleagues in Marketing and Communications helped to prepare the mugs and deliver the boxes, but only Murphy worked from the first delivery to the last. Did he relax that night with a hot cup of cocoa?
Rumor has it that it was a different beverage...
Saints took to Instagram to show their appreciation for the surprise gift.
Daniela Diaz '22 said, "It felt great receiving this mug during the stressful time of finals week, and while still living through the pandemic. It was reassuring to know that Siena is always supportive, even during difficult and stressful times like these."