Students, faculty and staff who made their way to Cougar Woods Dining Commons on Feb. 26 were greeted by a festival-like scene featuring a mini petting zoo, local vendors, the smoky aroma of barbecue from the pit, and country music echoing through the dining hall.
“Go Texan Day is such a big part of the Houston community — it kicks off the rodeo,” said Jessica Ellefson, marketing manager for UH Dining Services.
“It’s really important to bring community events to our students so they can participate in the fun without having to leave campus. We’re here to support the community and celebrate Texas pride.”
Ellefson noted that the event offered attendees a chance to immerse themselves in Texas culture — particularly students from out of town — while enjoying an “appetizer” to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the world’s largest livestock exhibition and rodeo.
- “I really like the spirit and everything — a good spirit for the school and for everyone to open up more,” said Anh Tran, a freshman entrepreneurship major from Austin. “This is really new to me.”
- “It’s really fun because it adds more spark to a typical day,” said Reena Vinh, a freshman marketing major from Houston who attends the rodeo every year. “Whenever UH Dining Services does events, they’re always really cool and nice.”
- “I thought it was amazing,” said Serenity Roberts, a senior psychology major from Dallas. “The food was amazing, and the pets were so cute and cuddly. It’s a really nice callback to the rodeo, because I’ve never been. It’s a nice moment to experience it on campus since I can’t go.
For some members of the campus community, the event also created space for connection beyond the classroom.
- “It’s great that we’re able to have this kind of opportunity to step away from academic work, in my case, and connect with people and with each other,” said Raul Rosa Negron, program coordinator for the Advancing Community Engagement and Service (ACES) Institute. “I ran into professors I know, so it was great to have this space to connect.”
- “I like what UH Dining Services did, and I hope to see more of it,” said Chidera Uzomah, a freshman political science major. “It’s nice to have things like this on campus. People want to do things here, experience things and meet new people.”
On the menu, diners enjoyed a wide range of Texas favorites, including pulled pork,
barbecue spareribs and chicken, tomato and bean chili, fire-braised beef barbacoa,
and barbecue chicken pizza. Side dishes featured macaroni and cheese, garlic Texas
toast, corn on the cob, Southern-style green beans, vegetarian collard greens, maple-glazed
sweet potatoes, baked beans, and sweet cornbread. Dessert options included peach cobbler,
with an à la mode option.
Some attendees were quick to name their favorites.
- “Definitely the ribs — they’re really good — and the peach cobbler,” Roberts said.
- “We have Chili’s-quality ribs here!” Negron added.
- “I enjoyed it as a different experience,” said Francisco Amezcua, a sophomore economics major from Houston who recently transferred from another college. “I always love tacos, and it was nice to have barbacoa again. I miss it.”
Inside the dining commons, the festival atmosphere continued as guests and staff dressed
in cowboy hats and boots. UH’s mascot, Sasha, joined the celebration by posing for
photos and interacting with attendees. Several university programs — including Counseling
and Psychological Services (CAPS), UH Wellness, the Office of Sustainability, Campus
Recreation, and UH Dining Services — were also on hand to share information about
their services.
“This is one of our legacy events — something we’ll continue to do every year,” Ellefson said. “With our local business partners, our campus partners, the petting zoo and the menu, there’s always room to grow. But where we are right now is really successful. The students love it, and it’s fun.”