The Gorlok is supposed to have the face of a dependable Saint Bernard but Vader, a Saint Bernard at the Big Ed Bash, didn’t think there was much of a resemblance. Vader barked at Big Ed, the Gorlok mascot, and tried to get away when Big Ed tried to pet him. Big Ed wasn’t discouraged and continued milling about with the other guests.
The Big Ed Bash was the last hurrah for this year’s I Heart Webster Week, a week-long celebration of Webster University. The event had Gorlok themed food — like buffalo wings representing the Gorlok’s horns and Cheetos representing the paws and speed of a cheetah — music and Saint Bernards to pet and hang out with.
I Heart Webster Week began on Monday, Nov. 3 with an announcement by Student Government Association President Gabrielle Deimeke and Student Ambassador Marissa Diekhoff, who revealed the plans to build a student-funded Gorlok statue in the circle between Sverdrup and the Emerson Library, which will stand three feet tall on a pedestal. The circle will be the new center point for the quad, which will be elongated as part of Webster’s master plan.
Student ambassador advisor Billy Ratz said the new quad will extend all the way to the East Academic Building, stretching across Edgar Road.
The idea for the Gorlok statue came from SGA last summer. Jennifer Stewart, director of Student Engagement at Webster, said SGA wanted to celebrate Webster’s 100-year anniversary with a gift from the students. Project Gorlok, an SGA and Student Ambassador-run campaign to start new traditions on the Webster campus, will fund the campaign. Their first goal is the statue, which will cost around $13,000. Student Ambassador Marissa Diekhoff said so far they’ve raised $2,000.
Senior Psychology major Katy Barry said she is excited for the statue because of the traditions it may start.
She hopes it will be a place “where you can whisper your thoughts into the Gorlok’s ear or rub its paw for good luck on a test,” Barry said.
Barry helped support Project Gorlok at the Thursday night’s Pie in Your Eye event. She threw pies at her fellow SGA members to raise funds for the statue.
Other events during the week included the Gorlok Dollar Dance, where students could donate a dollar and have a dance off with the Gorlok, The Great Thanks Project and a performance by comedian BJ Novak.
The Great Thanks Project went on all week with the rest of the festivities. Its purpose was to thank the donors to Webster University.
“Because they (donors) impact every single building, every single class, every single professor, every single activity that we do,” Diekhoff said. “We really do have to take our place in thanking them and appreciating their efforts.”
Comedian, writer and actor BJ Novak performed at the Loretto-Hilton Center Monday night. He is best known for his role as Ryan Howard in The Office. Novak was joined by comedian Tiffany Haddish who has appeared on Chelsea Lately and is featured on Real Husbands of Hollywood.
Diekhoff said she was pleased with the overall turnout for the events. The whole purpose of the event is to show Webster pride and have fun doing it, she said.
Even though I Heart Webster Week is over, Project Gorlok boxes will remain on campus. Ratz said he hopes for the statue to be built this time next year.
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