Pies in the Face at the SLC

The St. Clair College Student Representative Council (SRC) and the Saints Student Athletic Association (SSAA) held their Pie the Faculty and Presidents fundraiser at the Student Life Centre (SLC) yesterday. 

 This year, all donations will go to the United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex-Chatham-Kent. Getting a pie in the face for 10 faculty members and two student presidents began at 1 p.m. and went on until 4 p.m. 

 Kashav Kant, 21, a marketing major, threw out the first pitch of a pie made of whipped cream inside a coffee filter, five feet away from SRC president Rishi Vatish who was seated on a barstool (like all volunteer faculty, Vatish wore a poncho and protective eyewear.) 

Moments later, Rachel Meeke, 33, the relationship manager of the United Way arrived at the SLC. The Media Plex Insider asked Meeke to say a few words. 

“We are really to support youths and families in our community that are suffering from poverty to fall in Windsor and Chatham,” said Meeke. “Hopefully you will be able to donate… It’s the time of the year, it’s always nice to give back to the community and we hope you’ll support our campaign.” 

Then nursing professor Chantelle Botscheller sat on the barstool for her 15-minute timeslot as did business professor Kristina DiPaolo. Barry Rivard, coordinator of the business program was next. 

 “I can’t do it to him,” said Casey Froesse, 28, one of the students in Rivard’s classes, at first. She then reconsidered and before softly throwing a pie at him she said “he’s too nice and one of my favourite professors.” 

 Fellow student Mimi Nyugeen, 24, also said “I love Barry” and “he’s my favourite” right before she lightly threw a pie at Rivard. 

 “When I was at Best Buy, they duct taped me to the wall,” said Rivard, referring to fundraisers like this one. “I don’t mind, it’s for charity.” 

 Marketing instructor Chamara Ekanayake didn’t mind either and this time it was business professor DiPaolo who was doing the throwing.  

“We have a great relationship, it’s just for fun,” said DiPaolo. 

 It was also just for fun when it was marketing coordinator Justina Ciarlariello’s turn. Administrative assistant Krista Middleton said “I love you Justina” right before her throw. 

 The majority of participants lightly threw their pies. Not Kanan Gale, 24 (wearing a Detroit Tigers ball cap) and Andrew Sleeman, 24 (wearing a New York Yankees ballcap) of the St. Clair Saints baseball team. 

 And certainly not the crony-directors of the SSAA when it was student president George Karatzias’s turn. Lots of hijinx and horseplay. 

“There must have been 30 or 40 pies in my face,” said Karatzias. “And they don’t throw easy!” 

 SSAA director Andrew Weiler bought $30 worth of tickets and said, “it was the best thirty dollar I ever spent.” A $3 dollar ticket would buy you one throw, five dollars would buy you two throws and a $10 ticket would buy you five throws. Directors Mathew Palumbo and Mohamed Asfar Shalieh both spent $10. 

 None of travel and tourism coordinator Stephanie Middleton’s (no relation to Kristina) came to the SLC because they say she’s so nice. Instead, her son Logan, husband Jeff and friend Noor Kelsey (a surrogate for Stephanie’s daughter gone to Vancouver to see Taylor Swift in concert) who is practically family. 

 “I love you mom,” said Logan, 19, and an electrical-technology major before his first toss and going back to buy a $10 ticket. Husband Jeff also bought a $10 ticket. 

 Chef Michael Jimmerfield, the coordinator of the culinary management program had arrived. His specialty is East Asian cuisine, especially the Japanese and Thai foods. Jimmerfield could have easily  

baked pies for this fundraiser and when asked which is his favorite, his reply: “coconut cream.”   

 Four of his students bought a $3 ticket, lined up and simultaneously whipped them at Jimmerfield, right before heading to their evening shift at the Eatery 1101 dining room/classroom. 

Professor Payne hung around the SLC for two and a half hours before sitting on the barstool. He said  “let’s get ready to rumble,” and adding, “but be gentle.” 

 Four students from the carpentry program were not gentle to Mark Lambert, the coordinator of the power-engineering technology program. All four lined up and fired at once. 

Lambert was the last on the schedule until SRC vice-presidet Harnoor Kaurr convinced computer  programming professor Matt Haug, 26, to volunteer at the last minute. 

 One of his students was afraid to participate for fear of him giving her a failing grade. Haug assured her he wouldn’t. She then bought a ticket and threw a pie. 

The SRC declined to comment on how much money was raised but Meeke of the United Way seemed to be pleased.