Julie Sullivan’s Dogs Join Donut Day

Students and faculty enjoy free donuts and coffee with the President and the Provost Office

President Julie Sullivan’s two dogs, Oliver and Bella, made a special appearance while students enjoyed glazed, chocolate and sprinkled donuts. Aimed at community-building and showing students that administrative “doors are open,” Santa Clara’s Office of the Provost collaborated with the Walsh administrative offices to host its third ever Donut Day.

Over 300 students swarmed the Walsh Administration Building to enjoy free donuts and coffee alongside Santa Clara staff and faculty at the hour-long event on May 24.

“It's an opportunity for people to go and meet President Sullivan because she is new,” said Acting Co-Provost Ed Ryan. “Students actually go into her office and she’ll stay in there and talk to students.”

Sullivan sees Donut Day as an opportunity to remain in touch with the Santa Clara community.

“It’s a way for people to come into the building and not see it as mysterious,” she said. “They can see us as real people and as very accessible to the whole university community.”

Attended by students and faculty alike, Donut Day provides a space for a range of community members to interact.

“Students will be here right before or after class,” Sullivan said. “Many of the facilities and groundskeepers come first thing because their shifts start a little earlier.”

Students receive an email every quarter announcing when Donut Day will be held. Usually occurring around week eight or nine of the quarter, the event is an opportunity to destress before finals and is intended to fit in with class schedules. Many students found it convenient to stop by and pick up a donut before starting their day and were even encouraged by their professors to take breaks and join in.

“Next time we’ll do it on the balcony with the dogs,” said Molly McDonald, Santa Clara’s chief of staff. “We should change the name to ‘Dogs and Donuts’ in the future.”

Upon reflecting on Donut Day’s success, the administration appreciates the engagement between students and faculty.

“I was surprised by how people stayed for 20 to 30 minutes to talk,” said Ryan. “It’s been a really nice community building space.”