New Masters, Same Domus

There’s probably nothing better than festivities on a beautiful day. With delicious food, live music, and free t-shirts, Eliot House students emerged yesterday from working and studying to celebrate the legacy of their House Masters.

The celebration, dubbed Eliot Fest, went from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and included kebabs and other foods, live student music performances, an egg toss, trivia games, and a garden dedication in the name of the House Masters.

Many students were enthusiastic about the event, which was organized by House Administrator Sue G. Weltman and other Senior Common Room members.

Tian Feng '11, co-chair of the Eliot HoCo, said that the enthusiasm was representative of the "nature of Eliot House, that individual students wanted to contribute and participate."

Warren S. Loegering '12 signed up to play guitar and sing for the event.

“I got the e-mail from Sue and I was like, 'Guys, let’s do this,'" he said. "Playing music is such a good way to give back to the House."

Another shared sentiment of the festival revolved around the bittersweet aspect of the celebration. Lester C. Kim '11 said that he was saddened by the loss of Eliot House Masters Lino Pertile and Anna Bensted but was also enthusiastic about the chance to meet the new Masters.

“Well, I’m sad, but I know they’re off to do great things afterwards, and so I’m excited for them and also excited to see the transition to new Masters and a new Eliot,” he said.

Loegering agreed, adding that Pertile was committed to knowing the students.

"Lino makes such an effort to get to know every person in the House. Seriously, he spends the summer looking over Facebook and learning everybody’s names," he said. "When I first walked into Eliot he was like ‘Hey Warren.' It was awesome."

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.