Free Cookie Friday: Building Community One Cookie at a Time

By: Jenthe van Kastel

Each Friday, Graceland students have a reason to pause, say hello, and enjoy something simple that makes campus feel a little more connected: Free Cookie Friday. Hosted by Graceland Student Government, this weekly event offers students a freshly baked cookie free of charge while creating a relaxed space to talk, laugh, and reconnect. 

According to Kaylee Baker, this year’s Graceland Student Government President, Free Cookie Friday is designed to be both welcoming and intentional. “It’s a really great way to connect with people,” Baker shared. “And who doesn’t love freshly baked free cookies?” 

Free Cookie Friday was previously held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., but the schedule was recently adjusted to 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The change was made based on student participation. “There weren’t a lot of people coming at 11 o’clock,” Baker explained. Moving it later allows more students to attend while still keeping the event manageable for the student government officers who run it. 

The event is hosted by the GSG Officer team, made up of eight members seven representing different branches, with Baker serving as president. Each week, the officers also choose a discussion question to encourage conversation and engagement. While many students stop by to grab a cookie and head out, the goal is to make it easy for students to interact if they have time. In Baker’s words, building that connection “isn’t always easy,” but the event continues to grow more successful over time. 

GSG President Kaylee Baker, at Free Cookie Friday, high-fiving Sting on Halloween. Photo credits to Graceland Marketing.

Location has also played a role in increasing participation. Free Cookie Friday is now held in the Newcom Student Union near the corner, rather than in the Great Room. Since more students naturally pass through and hang out in that area, it has helped the event feel more visible and accessible. 

For Baker, Free Cookie Friday is one of the most enjoyable traditions on campus, even though she is not able to attend as often this semester due to student teaching. An elementary education major currently student teaching in Lamoni, she is away from campus for most of the day. “I’m not really able to go this semester, which makes me really sad,” she said, noting how much she values seeing people she doesn’t get to run into regularly. 

Ultimately, Free Cookie Friday is more than a weekly snack it is a consistent reminder that community can be built through small, thoughtful moments. Whether students stay to answer the weekly question or simply grab a cookie on their way to class, the event creates a familiar point of connection that helps campus feel welcomingand social.