President Schovenac hosts annual 'Picnic with the President'

President Lawrence Schovanec and members of the Texas Tech administration welcomed students during the first week of school in the North Plaza of the Student Union Building for the annual ‘Picnic with the President‘.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 29, Schovanec put on an apron and gloves and fed hundreds of hungry students. The free meal consisted of a hot dog and chili, both with vegetarian options, chips and a choice of lemonade or water.

“Get your degree, and one day you too can hand out hotdogs,” Schovanec said with a smile.

The annual event started in 2008 with Guy Bailey as president. Schovanec said it has become one his favorite things because he gets to meet all the students going through the line and learn about their major, where they are from and their time in school.

Schovanec said he does not think students realize how much the administrators want the students to be happy and enjoy their time at Tech.

Radek Benetka, an exchange student from the Czech Republic, majoring in civil engineering, had a conversation with the president about how Schovanec’s family is based in the Czech Republic and their experiences in the Czech Republic.

As a student at Tech for a semester, Benetka said he would rate the event a 12 out of 10 because it was that amazing to him.

“It was excellent talking to the president,” Benetka said. “I felt very special.”

Bao Pham, a freshman public relations major from Vietnam, said he received an email about the picnic a couple days ago and knew he wanted to come.

“Right after I finished class, I rushed over here,” Pham said.

The event was fun and provided free food, so Pham said he could not complain and that next year he will definitely be back.

Schovanec said he has not received a negative comment about Tech, but imagines it would be hard for students to be negative while getting free food.

“It’s something that the students appreciate,” Schovanec said. “It sends a message to them that they matter. We want to do what we can to give them a sense of our appreciation.”

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