"As a Colgate student, I often get used to the mundane lifestyle that comes with living in the middle of nowhere. The library is probably the most predictable of places, especially during finals week. I was studying for a difficult test when all of a sudden my life changed for the better. I received an invite to "OMG! Toll House Pie!" I knew it was my destiny to find it! The exhilaration of searching the stacks as the Facebook posts kept showing the dwindling pie. When alas, I looked up and saw the event planners!! It was a moment of pure joy! 10/10 would recommend doing this activity again- it taught me perseverance and dedication and I was rewarded quite nicely for it!!" - Rising Sophomore Jenny Lundt
On May 1st, 2016, I risked all of my Case Library privileges. After receiving one strike for throwing a four loko fueled quiet floor Birthday Rager the week before, I risked a second one to make “OMG! Toll House Pie!” happen. What started as a splurge at the Colgate Inn soon became a campus-wide scavenger hunt. The spontaneous break both united and pitted students against each other. It was a hell of a good time that put all other events to shame.
OG Pie Recipient Sammy Saperstein looks upon other study breaks with hunger and disgust in her eyes.
Finals week is always packed with school sponsored study breaks. The Class Council and Colgate Activities Board save up their sweet, sweet BAC monies to shine during a week of free slices and chipwich socials. However, these breaks have become slightly predictable. After students wait in a line for forty minutes, they file into the Batza room, grab their complimentary bagel and mini water bottle and then shuffle back to their carrels while “Wagon Wheel” plays on a loop. Unlike these traditional events, “OMG! Toll House Pie!” promised a sense of adventure. The potential for bodily harm and food students actually want really set “OMGTHP!” apart.
Winners like Hyeon Jeong had to take victory pictures in discreet locations to maintain equality and a competitive spirit.
Melanie Oliva and I came up with the event after spending way too much money at the Colgate Inn. While debating dessert we agreed we wanted a slice of toll house pie. But then we thought “Hey, wouldn’t it be fun if we bought an entire pie and to give to our stressed out friends?” But then we were like “Wait...we don’t have friends. PIE FOR EVERYONE!” And “OMGTHP!” was born.
Mary Clubb expresses support for our stroke of genius.
Co-facilitator Melanie put it best when she said, “the event was a great way to procrastinate and cause a lil bit of ruckus in the “silent” section. I'm usually yelled at for eating cheez-it's in the lib. We snuck in an entire toll house pie. Eat that, librarians!
Ellie Robbins couldn't believe her luck nor the librarian's obliviousness.
The rules were simple. One Pie. 13 Slices. Five Library Floors. Find Mel and me and you get a piece. The limited supply raised the stakes and facilitated an exciting competition. “It was exhilarating. Honestly, I had no idea where I was going or what I was doing, I just knew I wanted that pie and I was willing to do just about anything to get it. When I finally found the pie it was like Christmas morning. I only hope other people will be so generous in the future so more students can experience the thrill of the chase, ” said victor and recent grad Samantha Hom.
OMGTHP reactions ranged from confusion to arousal.
Many students could not believe that someone was willing to give out free toll house pie. The 400+ recipients of the facebook event had mixed reactions. The now Colgate Alum Sarah Chandler summed up the roller coaster of emotions that was OMGTHP. “The event was such a good idea and really made my day. I thought it was a joke at first because it seemed too good to be true, but I'm glad it wasn't. I wish more people, myself included, did more things like that. I think a lot of people at Colgate are very goal oriented and focused on doing things, not just for the sake of doing them, which is why this event made me smile. Mason and Melly just wanted to do something nice and they really spread the love and made that evening during finals week a lot better.”
Palermo and Walsh minutes after kneeing each other in the face and flinging their phones across Case to secure pie.
For most students, the hunt was the perfect break. “My friend Caroline and I had reached a point of craziness during our finals studying just as we saw the event on Facebook and it was the perfect distraction. To be honest, we sprinted around the library for a solid 20 minutes before receiving an anonymous tip on where the pie might be. It was the best surprise!” said Emily Palermo, who used the buddy system to secure her slice.
Planners were in a pickle when the social media committee couldn't identify this lucky winner.
The event did have some hiccups. One participant accused the facilitators of nepotism when it appeared that only our friends were receiving pie. Still, she ended up winning a slice but was unavailable for comment. Below is the last known photograph of her. If any readers have leads please contact Campus Safety or Professor Harvey Sindima immediately.
Overall the event received nothing but praise. “It was inspiring, truly. I've never wanted pie more in my entire life,” said former senior Alyse Kalish. And recent grad Gregory Brea Jr. had this to say: “The event really gave me hope for the future of Colgate. The Class of 2016 is so washed up, there’s really no legacy to live up to. But somehow two sophomores brought joy and pride back to campus. This pie may hinder my ideal Myrtle body, but I haven’t practiced self-control the past four years, why start now?”
M. 22 years old. 550 lbs.
As we look toward the future, the OMGTHP council hopes to secure more funds to buy more pies and further spread the love. In the meantime, we will cherish the memories of our first annual “OMG! Toll House Pie!” Thank you to everyone who made this event so special. It was totally worth me not studying and failing my Spanish final the next day. Lo siento, Profesora Barrera and gracias, los estudiantes de Colgate.
If you, or anyone you know, would like to sponsor our next event: hmu.
