This past November, we celebrated Philanthropy Month by kicking off Chapman’s Faculty-Staff Giving Campaign. With so many of us giving, it’s sweet to know that gifting is quite the mutual exchange with our Panther colleagues! Read on to find out what the best gifts UA staff has ever received—from cherished family time to…pig stuffed animals!



brittany-bundled-up-at-the-st-louis-arch


Brittany Hanson dons her St. Louis-weather approved apparel.


Brittany Hanson
, 
public relations assistant


The first Christmas of dating my significant other, I was invited to come back to St. Louis, Mo. to meet his family. My other half was very concerned that as a native Californian, I would not be wardrobe-equipped for cold weather. So, I learned later, he braved Black Friday to get me a thick coat, gloves and ordered me a HUGE fluffy hat to keep me warm (pictured).

Kim Greenhall
,
director, Chapman Fund


Sounds corny, but no gift matches the joy that comes from being with my family during the holidays. I know that for some people, the time is full of stress and family problems, but not for me. I’m lucky.

Lisa Eap Miller
,
alumni engagement manager


The best gift I have ever received is a pig stuffed animal. For those who don’t know me, I have a ridiculous amount of pig stuffed animals—and they are all stored at my parents’ place and my place. I only bring a few to work so that people don’t realize how crazy I am. I’ve gotten so many pig toys that I told people to stop buying me them. But even now, every time I get a pig stuff animal, I become that 5-year-old little girl again. I just love them!

Tianna Haradon
,
manager, external relations


It’s a bit sappy, but the best gift I received was seven years ago when my son was born. He was born 27 days before Christmas, so my husband and I decided not to exchange gifts that year because we were terrified of not having enough time to shop with a newborn baby. It ended up being the best holiday because we spent so much time together, just the three of us, getting to know each other.