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Cornell University

Student & Campus Life

Thanks for joining us for the Celebration of Gratitude Dinner on Thanksgiving Day!

It's one of our favorite events of the year! The 38th Annual Celebration of Gratitude Dinner on Thanksgiving Day brought together hundreds of Cornellians and community members for a traditional holiday feast.

A person holds a plate of food in front of a serving line

It's a joint effort between Cornell Dining and the Office of Global Learning that began as a way to show international students — who can't easily travel home for shorter breaks — what the American Thanksgiving holiday is all about.

Two volunteers stand behind a counter decorated with pinecones and gourds

Of course, many attendees are students who are staying on campus for any number of reasons, as well as staff and faculty and their families.

Three young women sit at a dining table with plates of food

So most of the Cornell Dining staff can spend a well-earned vacation day at home with their families, we're grateful to welcome dozens of volunteers who help us serve our guests in exchange for admission to enjoy the meal themselves.

Five people in aprons line up behind a counter

The menu begins with a traditional repast that includes turkey, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes, but doesn't end there! We also serve fresh fish and vegetarian and vegan entrées and side dishes so as to accommodate everyone.

Two smiling people stand behind a food serving line

What was your favorite part of the day? It was Joseph's turkey hat, wasn't it?

A smiling person wears a felt hat that looks like a turkey

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the annual Celebration of Gratitude Dinner, as a volunteer or a guest! And thanks to the amazing Cornell Dining staff who helped to pull it off.

Two smiling people stand in a dining room holding plates of food

Oops! We almost forgot dessert! Apple and pumpkin pies and so much more.

A serving counter with several pies, decorated above with pinecones and evergreen boughs

 

Photos by Yiting Zhang ’28.

About Cornell Dining

Cornell Dining is consistently ranked in the Princeton Review's top ten for best campus food among all colleges and universities in the country! That high rating comes from customer surveys, and reflects Cornell Dining's commitment to serving high-quality foods that are healthy and creatively prepared with genuine care for a diverse community. Cornell Dining operates over 30 on-campus eateries -- which include residential dining rooms, cafés, coffeehouses, food courts, and convenience stores -- and serves more than 23,000 meals a day to members of the Cornell community. For more information, visit dining.cornell.edu.