Olivia Miller-Johnson | Staff Writer | omillerjohnson@mail.smcvt.edu
The Plumbs entertain students at their home at St. Michael’s College on Friday, Sept. 6.
The front door opened, revealing St. Michael’s College President Richard Plumb and his wife, Mary Plumb. Emily Alford, ’27, said the Plumbs dressed casually in t-shirts and shorts, contrasting the formal image one might expect from the college’s leadership.
Alford recalled Plumb saying, “You know, you’re doing all the work tonight” while welcoming Alford and her friends into their home.
On Friday, Sept. 6, the couple invited a group of students over to their home for a pasta dinner.
During a Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts (MOVE ) event at St. Michael’s College fall orientation, Plumb mentioned that at previous colleges he and his wife had hosted home dinners with students.
Alford, who was at the MOVE event, approached Plumb on the first day of classes and asked to have dinner with him and his wife. He provided Mary Plumb’s phone number and told Alford to bring along 11 of her friends.
“It was funny because we were all in my dorm… and we were like, ‘What do we wear?’” Alford said. “‘Okay, so an adult sense of casual is different from ours, right?’”
When the students arrived at the president’s house across the street from campus, the Plumbs were in casual clothing, and said they had just been out in their garden.
“I think them dressing like that definitely also helped,” said Alford. “It sets the tone.”
Alford said she was struck by the thought behind the meal, the allergen-friendly alternatives, and described the setting as very casual. “It’s a good opportunity to have a homemade meal and not have to do the dishes,” said Plumb.
“We all got our own piece of dough and each made a handful of spaghetti,” said Josie Almeida, ’24.
They made pasta from scratch, and Mary Plumb prepared “sauce, meatballs, veggie sausage, garlic bread, and salad ahead of time,” said Almeida.
“As the photographer at this event, I wasn’t expecting to be included in the pasta making,” said Sophie Burt ’24, who was there on behalf of the Marketing and Communications Department.
“But President Plumb and his wife Mary kept insisting I put the camera down and enjoy the evening,” said Burt.
Alford said the group talked with Richard and Mary Plumb about their everyday lives, classes, their goals, and everything in between. Plumb said it allows him to truly listen and understand students here, their hopes and dreams, outside of school.
Alford said the name tags everyone wore at the beginning of the meal were a forgotten thought because, by the end, the Plumbs had memorized all nine names.
“They gave us a hug. They’re like, ‘How was the rest of your weekend? How was your week? How did that test go?’” said Alford, when she saw the Plumbs on campus after the pasta event.
Plumb said he started this event three years ago at his previous institution, and found it so engaging he brought it here.
“The students we engage with are the most caring and polite students at any college I’ve worked at,” Plumb said.
Alford said the connection Richard and Mary Plumb made with the students felt personal. Plumb offered a recommendation letter, an ear for anything that might be going on, or anything else they might be able to do for them.
“I thought it was going to be a way more formal situation but we were all really excited, and the Plumb’s were so welcoming and kind,” Almedia said.
Alford said that Plumb is very approachable and she encourages other students to inquire about being a part of the next pasta evening.
“I promise you, it’s gonna be one of your highlights at St. Michael’s College,” said Alford.