Circulating the tables around down stairs Moseley, freshman Katie Neal munches on a bagel and sips hot coffee as she chats with friends.

“I cannot wait to study abroad,” she said, flipping through a student’s photo album from their previous travel experiences. “These pictures from Costa Rica are absolutely amazing.”

While Elonthon, Costa Rica Study Abroad and Color of Women sponsored College Coffee this week, Neal gets to learn about new organizations and experiences Elon’s campus has to offer every Tuesday morning.

Aiming to unite students, faculty members and staff members outside of the classroom, College Coffee is one of Elon’s most valued community traditions. Gathering once a week between students’ first and second morning class, either in front of Fonville Fountain outside of Alamance or in Moseley, it provides a relaxed atmosphere for the community to get to know each other and prepare for the day ahead.

“I come directly after my first class and usually grab something quick to eat and drink,” Neal said. “I normally go around to the different tables since they change every week to see what is going on with Elon and just get to know everyone a little better.”

Coordinator of Campus Center Opperations and Student Activities Jeanette Drake said the event was created in 1984 to creat community.

“The program gives a change for students to communicate with students, professors and staff outside of class,” Drake said.

Initially providing only free coffee and the occasional cookie, College Coffee has taken off to be much more of a student-run affair, Baughman said.

“The promotion by organizations during College Coffee is sometimes not as appreciated as it should be because people seem to go for the food and to see their friends,” sophomore Krista Montes De Oca said. “But it's a good opportunity to meet other people and of course food always brings college students together.”

Individual organizations now sponsor the occasion and food on a weekly basis, providing an array of snacks and beverages while promoting their cause.

“College Coffee is really nice because it keeps me up to date with ongoings on campus such as Elontho,” sophomore Christina Keltner said.

While Neal said creating a larger range of breakfast items to choose from or having live entertainment would make it more appealing to students, she also said its current status functions as a wonderful morning pick-me-up.

“It’s an event that most other college campuses don’t have the luxury of,” Neal said. “It is something completely unique to Elon and a really good bonding experience.”

While Baughman said the gathering may fade in some students’ minds as just another Elon tradition, she said that does not hinder its ability to allow students to establish connections with other individuals or expose themselves to organizations and local happenings they may otherwise never know.

Special Features Editor: Andie Diemer - 03/01/07