You might have seen them around campus, various student events, or even last year’s Employee Appreciation Day (EAD) – heads bowed in deep conversation with students and employees, enticing you in to their table with free candy (“The only candy you should take from strangers!” they joke) from behind a banner that reads: “The advice may be bad, but it’s free!” It’s the group known as “The Grandparents Are In,” and they will once again be showcasing their seasoned wisdom and offering free advice at this year’s Employee Appreciation Day (EAD), taking place on Thursday, September 17 from 10 am – 2 pm at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Last year marked the Grandparents Are In’s (GAI) first appearance at Employee Appreciation Day, and they are excited to return once again to chat with employee guests and offer advice on just about anything! The group began four years ago as a project within the University’s Professors Emeriti Association, a club that fosters relationships between the University and former faculty members who have been appointed emeritus status after retirement.
“The group was inspired by emeritus professor, Lou Borgenicht, and his ‘Old Coots’ giving advice at the downtown summer Salt Lake City farmer’s market,” says Ken Jameson, founding member of the GAI, “and in four years, it’s grown from us trying to find places on campus to let us set up our advice booth to us being personally invited to events across campus – from the Union’s Get Involved Fest to Student Experience’s Plaza Palooza, and of course, Employee Appreciation Day!”
The GAI’s first and foremost mission is to engage students. In four years and countless “office hours” sessions at the Union, Kahlert Village, and School of Business (to name a few of their regular venues), they believe they have successfully crossed the generational divide. Their advice to students has ranged from school-related topics, such as what to do after failing their first class and handling difficult on-campus housing situations, to more serious topics, such as dealing with heartbreak and managing grief after the loss of a parent.
“The main piece of advice we offer to students – or just about anyone – is that you are going to be okay,” says Glade Ellingson, member of the GAI. “The Grandparents always come away with a renewed sense of optimism after a session. We often worry about the younger generation, but we always see that there are good, hard-working young people out there.”
Last year’s Employee Appreciation Day was the first opportunity for the Grandparents to engage with an audience of only employees. The questions asked and advice offered were a stark contrast to their usual experiences with students.
“We had a lot of questions about careers – am I on the right path? Should I go back to a full-time job or stick with part-time?” recalls Ryck Luthi, another founding GAI member. “We also had a lot of questions about work-life balance, especially from young women who felt like they worked all day in their careers and went home and felt like they just had chores that never ended.”
Overall, members of the GAI noted that Employee Appreciation Day guests felt valued being seen and having someone to talk to – and that’s really their entire mission. Their goal is to provide an opportunity for people to talk in a casual setting, be listened to, and be recognized and appreciated in a friendly way.
The GAI team looks forward to chatting with employees at Employee Appreciation Day this September – but that doesn’t mean they won’t give you some “free, bad advice” sooner if you’re in need. Employees are always welcome to chat with the GAI team anytime you see their advice booth set up on campus. This June and July they will be holding a few special sessions for students taking summer classes, and they encourage employees to drop by and chat with them!
June & July Grandparents Are In (GAI) “Office Hours”:
- June 9 and 10, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at Marriott Library East Entrance
- July 6 and 7, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at Marriott Library East Entrance