University President Hosts Student in Need of Place to Stay

Drew University is a private liberal arts institution with more than 2,000 enrolled students. Located within the tree-lined town of Madison, New Jersey, I’ve actually been to Drew as a guest speaker for their first-year student orientation. It’s a beautiful place that’s located in a wooded, 186-acre campus.

When Stuart Dezenhall, the university’s social media manager, told me the story about how Drew’s president had recently saved the day (actually the weekend) for a student, I was intrigued.

Victoria Andrews, a senior sociology major with a history minor, was part of this year’s new student orientation team at Drew. Planning to move in to her residence hall (“dorm”) room a bit early due to her involvement with the orientation program, she was informed that her room wouldn’t be ready when she needed it. However, at the exact moment that she was told that her room wasn’t ready, a senior university official happened to be walking by.

MaryAnn Baenninger, the president of Drew University, noticed Andrews, who had all of her possessions with her and decided to offer her temporary accommodation for the weekend. The accommodation turned out to be at Baenninger’s on-campus residence.

According to Dezenhall, “[President Baenninger] turned the desperate situation into a long-weekend slumber party at her campus residence.”

Andrews shared on Instagram: “This is why I love Drew University: President MaryAnn Baenninger welcomes me into her home with open arms. I am truly grateful for her hospitality and it goes to show that Drew is an amazing school.”

In addition to housing Andrews for a couple of days, Baenninger’s hospitality definitely impressed followers of the university’s Facebook page:

“Reading this reassures me that my daughter is exactly where she should be. I just knew Drew University stood out from all the rest.” – SS.

“What a fabulous example to the students!!!” – MB.

“That’s awesome!” – JF.

Kudos to President Baenninger for stepping up for a student in need and best wishes to Andrews in her final year at Drew.

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