By Kelley Bozeman

"The event is designed to offer students a relaxing and lighthearted break from the stress of finals and to build community among UK students, faculty and staff."

-- Becky Jordan,
associate dean of students and co-chairperson of the event's university-wide planning committee

Lexington, Ky. (Dec. 13, 2002) -- On Monday, Dec. 16, the University of Kentucky will continue a tradition started last year, a free brunch offered to students as a break from the stresses of final exams. More than 2,500 students attend the inaugural Crunch Brunch.

The second annual Finals Midnight Crunch Brunch will be held on the first day of finals week from 9 p.m. to midnight in Memorial Coliseum. Hot and cold breakfast foods and beverages will be served to students by celebrity faculty and administrators.

"The event is designed to offer students a relaxing and lighthearted break from the stress of finals and to build community among UK students, faculty and staff," said Becky Jordan, associate dean of students and co-chairperson of the event's university-wide planning committee.

Among the activities planned for the evening is pool with UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. UK First Lady Patsy Todd will serve doughnuts to students, while other faculty, staff and administrators will participate in other coordinated activities with the students.

"Last year's inaugural Crunch Brunch was proof that this is a different University of Kentucky," said Randy Gonzalez, assistant to the associate provost for student affairs and committee co-chairperson. "At the Crunch Brunch it was evident that not only are students the heart of everything we do as faculty and administrators, but they are also extremely important to President and Mrs. Todd."

A limited number of free T-shirts will be provided to the students as they enter the coliseum, and goodie bags sponsored by a variety of campus and community donors will be given to students as they leave.

While Student Affairs created the event and is the main sponsor, other departments are involved, including Auxiliary Services, Athletics, the UK Alumni Association, The Graduate School, the College of Arts and Sciences, Minority Affairs, the UK Chandler Medical Center and student organizations such as Student Government, Student Activities Board, the Kentucky Kernel, Resident Student Council, Panhellenic and the Interfraternity Council.