By Kelly Huth
Lafayette staff and faculty got a chance to shop, eat, and support shops and restaurants in Downtown Easton during the College’s Shop Local Day, March 12.
Lafayette’s Administrative Council—composed of staff from departments across campus—planned the effort as a way staff and faculty could support local businesses during their lunch hour. The College provided a shuttle to and from campus, and encouraged employees already working downtown to explore new and favorite establishments.
“We had a fantastic turnout of staff and faculty members from a wide variety of departments including Athletics, Admissions, ITS, Communications, Advancement, Lafayette Libraries, and Academics,” says Rebecca Pichetto, divisional operations manager of enrollment. Pichetto, chair of Administrative Council, said the event served dual roles as an employee social opportunity and a community engagement event.
Pichetto says Abbie Steinly, associate director, donor relations-Advancement, had the idea to tie the event into Lafayette’s Founders’ Day celebrations, honoring the nearly 200-year history of the College’s founding.
Employees who registered in advance received a $10 Downtown Easton gift card. The event also encouraged several departments to bring their regularly scheduled meetings downtown. Pichetto noted teams from Advancement and Lafayette College Libraries held morning meetings at Easton Public Market and Tucker Garage + Grocery so they could participate in the Shop Local event afterward.
“This was a way for the College to show some love to the community that originally founded it,” Pichetto says.
