Kylee Sanders
Junior Editor
The return to the Mountain was a snowy and icy mess. Many students’ plans of return were delayed due to the intense winter weather, while the ones who made it back dealt with frigid temperatures and icy sidewalks that made them slip and slide. However, through the winter chaos, Sewanee’s essential workers were here to provide aid.
Facilities Management tended to dorms, ensuring all heaters worked properly and students could stay warm. Campus Safety and Security, along with Sewanee’s ground team, salted and cleared the icy sidewalks to ensure everyone could make it around safely, especially as students traveled from dorms to McClurg Dining Hall for their meals. The grounds team also put in the special effort of clearing University Avenue and parking lots for the Opening Convocation on Friday, January 19. Sewanee’s Dining Staff was temporarily housed on the mountain so that McClurg Dining Hall could remain open, keeping students and faculty fed. Some members of the dining staff were away from their families for a whole week.
Students spoke about the support Sewanee’s essential workers provided during the snowstorm. Zoe Armstrong (C ‘27) is a resident of Benedict Hall, which is about half a mile from McClurg and the academic buildings. She said, “It was really difficult to make my way across campus when the sidewalks were super icy. I was extremely grateful when a pathway was made between buildings on the sidewalks because it ensured a better level of safety.”
The Sewanee Dining staff were huge players in supporting Sewanee’s needs as they kept the community full with warm meals throughout a cold week. Despite the treacherous conditions, McClurg never closed down nor did it resort to shortened hours. McClurg stayed open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. just like always. An email sent to students acknowledged the staff for sleeping in the dining hall or in nearby hotel rooms in order to provide meals to students. Even though McClurg staff sent out an email warning students that supplies might be limited, most students didn’t notice a change to the quality and amount of food provided.
Armstrong and other students discussed their appreciation for McClurg’s staff. “They were so amazing during the snow week, making sure that the floors weren’t too slippery from the snow, and also providing enough food for everyone on campus even though food deliveries weren’t coming in.”
Kate Wolfe (C ‘27) shared that she is also “so thankful for McClurg workers. They made it possible for us to stay warm and eat during the snowstorm.”
Betsy Baker (C ‘27) also shared her appreciation for the McClurg workers, “I can’t imagine Sewanee functioning without the Clurg staff. They do indisposable work for the entire community.”
Sewanee students appreciate our essential workers! Thank you for all the hard work you do!