Students share a ‘Keg with Dean McKaig’

Dean of Students Dick McKaig strolled into the Wright Quad formal lounge Saturday with a frosty mug and smiled as resident advisors pumped a keg for underage students. The event was called “Keg with Dean McKaig,” and the keg was filled with root beer. \n“It’s been an annual tradition for about five years,” McKaig said. “It’s a chance to interact with the students and a very cool idea.” \nThe Wright Quad Residence Hall Association Student Government started the tradition, but this year the torch was passed down to three resident advisers at Wright: senior Greg Fitch, sophomore Shane Brazeal and junior Matt Treadwell.\nJason Quinley, their graduate supervisor, was also an organizer. He said he was amused by the title and concept of the event. \n“I wanted to go table to table in the dining hall and say, ‘Hey guys, did you hear about the keg party in Wright?’” Quinley said. \nQuinley was unable to publicize at Wright’s food court that day because he was busy handling technical difficulties with the keg. However, the other advertising tactics seemed to work and 46 students attended, tripling the student turnout from last year. \nOnce the event began, students were able to pick the dean’s brain regarding campus issues and his experience working on campus for the past 37 years. \nFreshman Loretta Olker, a member of the student government at Wright, was especially interested in hearing the dean’s comments on campus issues. She found that the relaxed atmosphere of the event was helpful in having a more genuine encounter with the dean.\n“In a relaxed setting, students are more inclined to ask controversial questions and can get more truthful answers from the dean,” she said. \nIt didn’t take long before the words “dry” and “campus” were uttered by a concerned student. He wondered if the regulation might be detrimental to advocacy efforts against binge drinking. McKaig acknowledged that the student made a good point.\n“Today’s culture is saturated with messages that the good life and alcohol are related,” McKaig said. “We know there is drinking, but we have to expect that if you’re under 21, you don’t drink.” \nMcKaig said he noticed the questions students asked him this year were more philosophical than last year.\n“I liked the questions about our present and future societies, like the question of mental health among students and how that issue is reflective of how society has changed since last year,” McKaig said.\nThe event last year took place before the Virginia Tech shootings. \nQuinley, who had heard the dean speak before, was impressed with his speaking skills.\n“I like that he says things in a tactful way but isn’t afraid to speak what’s on his mind,” Quinley said. \nWhen the root beer in the keg started getting flat, the dean was presented with another personalized mug – almost identical to the one he received last year.\n“I can double-fist,” McKaig said, laughing. “I won’t have to go back to the keg quite as often.”