Late Night Breakfast fuels CWRU students for finals

As final exams approach, the aroma of pancakes, bacon and other breakfast favorites fill a pair of Case Western Reserve University dining halls for a beloved university tradition: Late Night Breakfast.

Since 1988, hundreds of students have flocked to the twice-a-year event, now held at Leutner and Fribley Commons, to take a break from studying and enjoy a free meal and loads of candy. As volunteer DJs keep the atmosphere buzzing with nostalgic classics and contemporary hits, attendees test their knowledge during trivia contests, take center stage in dance and karaoke competitions, and enter raffles for prize baskets.

Jointly sponsored by the Office of Residential Living and Learning and the university’s food-service partner, Bon Appétit Management Co., the event—which starts around 8:30 p.m.—boasts a crew of staff, administrators, deans and other volunteers from across the university sporting smiles and offering encouraging words. Like many campus traditions, Late Night Breakfast continued even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when undaunted and creative organizers offered a socially distanced, grab-and-go food service.

And it never gets old. Last spring’s event was standing room only, with students creating traffic jams as they went back for seconds and thirds.

“Spending time with friends, peers and classmates and taking a break from the books really helps our students recenter, refocus and recharge their batteries,” said Devin Fabian, associate director in the Office of Residential Living and Learning.

Illustration by Petra Sitaru