Freshmen flocked to the Mount Vernon Pub Wednesday night to eat free Chinese food and chat with Fred Siegel, the dean of freshmen.
Siegel, who lives in the Mount Vernon area, was the focus of last week’s Wacky Wednesday, a series of events designed to bring GW students and organizations to Mount Vernon.
“My hope is that students will be more comfortable with me after tonight,” Siegel said as he served chicken fried rice and vegetable lo mein from one of his favorite Chinese restaurants.
As he served food, Siegel introduced himself to students and addressed their questions and concerns.
“It’s nice to see (Siegel) here and the free food is definitely a bonus,” freshman Lauren Empson said.
Amy Nane, also a freshman, made the trek to the Mount Vernon Campus from Thurston Hall.
“I didn’t know where the pub was and there was free food,” Nane said. She added that the night helped her become more familiar with Mount Vernon.
Several community facilitators also joined students as they chatted with the dean of freshmen.
“There aren’t many people who would give up a night to do this,” junior Kristen Miller said.
Siegel also used Wednesday’s dinner to announce “Siegelpalooza 2004,” his annual tour of all the freshmen residence halls. Each night will feature a different residence hall, said Siegel, who will begin tours on Sept. 27 at Mount Vernon’s Pelham Hall.
Each residence hall visit will begin at 9 p.m.; Siegel said he will use the events to “get to know every resident.”
After serving food to students who flowed in and out of the pub, Siegel said he was exhausted but excited.
“I think everybody got a kick out of it,” Siegel said. “This was my second year doing this event and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to do it again.”
Siegel added that he enjoyed bringing the spotlight to his area of D.C.
“There are very few Mount Vernon students who don’t know each other by sight if not by name by the end of the year,” he said.
Freshman Diana Pierzchala, a Mount Vernon resident who came to the event with Siegel, said she was glad that her part of campus was getting some attention.
“I think we get the best deal out of anyone,” Pierzchala said. “The dorms are incredible.”
