Each year, Bryant University holds an annual Pat Keeley May Breakfast for University employees and guests. While this year’s breakfast, scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2020, was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it did not stop the Bryant community from showing its generosity
The May Breakfast Committee had already begun collecting donations for the event when pandemic precautions prompted Bryant’s transition to online learning and resulted in the majority of University staff working from home. Since holding an in-person breakfast was no longer possible, the committee decided the best way to give back to the community was to conduct a raffle event with all proceeds going to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
A total of 135 tickets were sold for the raffle event, held July 31. The $1,082 raised has been donated to the Food Bank, said May Breakfast Committee Co-chairs Diane Conlon and Joanne Robertson.
“We knew we wanted to do something as a community, but getting people to participate remotely was going to be a challenge. Once we figured that out, we thought there wasn't a more appropriate time to give back to the community through the RI Food Bank,” the co-chairs said. “When the Bryant community embraced the idea by generously participating, we knew there would be a good ending despite the disappointment of not being able to get together.”
A unique Rhode Island tradition, May Breakfasts – held in church halls, fire stations, community centers, and grange halls – date back to 1867 and celebrate Rhode Island Independence Day, May 4, 1776. That day, Rhode Island declared its independence from England.
The Bryant May Breakfast is named in honor of Patrick J. Keeley ‘02H, a Professor of English and humanities at Bryant College for 35 years. Keeley, who was posthumously honored with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2002, co-founded and directed the College's Humanities Program and is remembered as a masterful educator and vibrant classroom presence. With majestic eloquence and magnetic warmth, Keeley also presided as emcee over countless public occasions - wherever a master of ceremonies, toastmaster, or roastmaster was required.
