Early Morning Tweets and Treats

Midnight Breakfast draws a big crowd on campus -- and Twitter.

May 8, 2010

Steven Knapp and university administrators serving Midnight Breakfast

By Menachem Wecker

In GW’s end-of-the-semester tradition Midnight Breakfast, faculty and staff help alleviate student stress by serving breakfast one night during finals from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

This year, the Dec. 9 event attracted not only a lot of breakfasters (Jason Lifton executive vice president of the Student Association, assured us via Twitter that it was “packed”), but also a large number of Twitter messages. George Washington Today compiled some of those real-time updates send out by staff and students. (They are edited for style.)

“Seems appropriate to be listening to This American Life’s Middle of the Night episode on my way to GW’s Midnight Breakfast,” wrote Annette Thomson, assistant director of University web services.

Jordan Higgins, creative director at the Senate Democratic Communications Center and a former senior Web designer at GW, replied to Ms. Thomson. “Midnight Breakfast was one of my favorite memories of being there,” Mr. Higgins Tweeted. “Have fun!”

Chris Brooks, a graduate student in political management at GW and a presidential administrative fellow, also replied to Ms. Thomson. “I’ll see you there. On my way to Midnight Breakfast,” he wrote.

“Just got back from Midnight Breakfast!” Tweeted junior (communications and journalism) Eden Sutley. “Those eggs were not my favorite, but the cereal eating contest was quite satisfying.”

Josh Goldstein, a member of the student senate, had a similar response. “Just got back from the GW Midnight Breakfast!” he Tweeted. “Food was okay, but Capital Funk, along will all the performance acts, were great!”

A Twitter user who goes by the handle @doyounomi was particularly attracted to the entertainment. “Watching some more students perform at Midnight Breakfast,” she wrote. “I love GW. xx.”

The Twitter handle for the Mount Vernon Campus flaunted its experience rubbing shoulders with university leadership. “Spent last night at GW Midnight Breakfast serving French toast sticks and syrup alongside Lorraine Voles,” it Tweeted. “Had a great time!

Ms. Voles, vice president for external relations, summed up the feeling of the next morning best. “Basketball game at GW, followed by midnight breakfast makes for a great evening, but a slow morning,” she Tweeted.