The news spread across the university at the end of October: 28 receptionists who had worked at TU/e for many years are losing their jobs and will have to leave by January 1. These receptionists were officially employed by the external agency Sparq, which lost the tender earlier this year for providing receptionists to TU/e. Spirit Hospitality, the agency that won the tender, decided not to retain any of these receptionists.

The news did not go unnoticed at Walhalla, the café of Thor, the Electrical Engineering student association. To show their gratitude, the team quickly came up with the idea of organizing a farewell party for the receptionists. “Some of them would occasionally visit the Walhalla bar, but we thought: let’s invite them all. They deserve a proper farewell party,” says Gabriël Nusselder, an Electrical Engineering student and a regular bartender at Walhalla on Thursday nights. According to Nusselder, everyone at Walhalla supported the idea immediately, and the organization process went smoothly.

The Walhalla team contacted the receptionists’ team leader, who was enthusiastic about the idea. Through him, the receptionists received an invitation. “The team leader sent us screenshots of their happy reactions, which was really great to see,” Nusselder shares. Of the 28 receptionists losing their jobs, about 15 are expected to attend the farewell party. This evening, the receptionists can enjoy unlimited drinks on the house until 8 p.m.

For the Walhalla team, this is a way to thank the receptionists for everything they have done for them. “We’ve always had good contact with them. They were always there for us whenever we needed something. We want to show them that we value them and their work,” says Nusselder.

“I think I speak for the entire community when I say that the receptionists have always done an amazing job and that it’s incredibly unfortunate that they are leaving,” he continues. “I hope this farewell party will make them feel appreciated and allow them to leave with good memories.”