NDSU holds third annual Friendsgiving event
The event builds on NDSU’s student-centered values, offering community and comfort during a time when many students are far from family.
NDSU welcomed more than 300 students to its third annual Friendsgiving celebration Wednesday, Nov. 26, offering a warm meal and a sense of community to those staying on campus during the Thanksgiving break.
The gathering has quickly become an important NDSU tradition, giving students a place to connect, relax and feel supported heading into the holiday weekend.
Held in the Memorial Union, the event featured a full Thanksgiving-style menu prepared by NDSU Dining. Students were treated to roast turkey, mashed potatoes, sage stuffing, turkey gravy, corn, coleslaw, cheese tortellini, relish trays, dinner rolls, lefse, cranberries, lemonade, coffee, tea and a wide selection of desserts, including pie.
“It’s really about being together, especially at this time of year when the semester is starting to become a grind,” NDSU President David Cook said. It’s about having a chance to take a deep breath and be together with friends and family.”
Friendsgiving is designed for international students, graduate students and undergraduate students who remain in Fargo during the break. Its growth over three years reflects how meaningful the tradition has become for students seeking connection and community.
The gathering also aligns with NDSU’s commitment to student success in and out of the classroom. Cook emphasized that helping students succeed means encouraging a supportive environment where they can grow socially, mentally and academically.
Friendsgiving complements that effort by creating a welcoming space where students look out for each other, build friendships and feel at home on campus.
“This is a great chance for everybody to come together with their families and spend quality time with each other,” said Kate Cook, who helped introduce the event to the NDSU community three years ago.
Funding for the event comes from foundation and campus resources dedicated to student engagement and well-being. The investment helps strengthen student belonging and supports the university’s mission to provide a campus where people help each other thrive.
Friendsgiving continues to build on NDSU’s student-centered values, offering community and comfort during a time when many students are far from family.
