Joseph Webb’s welcoming Thanksgiving invite

For Joseph Webb, CSB+SJU’s new Chief of Staff, Thanksgiving is a reminder of his first year of college.

As a freshman at Edinboro University, Webb arrived with all of his belongings: the clothes that he had, his trophies and medals he received as a standout athlete in high school, and everything he grew up with, all fitting into his dorm room.

Originally from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area, Webb grew up moving between foster homes and group homes. It wasn’t until Thanksgiving break during his freshman year of college that it hit him: his campus and dorm room were his home now.

As the dorms closed over break and his friends and teammates headed home, Webb thought to himself, “where am I going to go?”

“I’ll never forget that time, because I ended up staying [at school], but they locked all of the doors, so I took my clothes and slept in the bushes… it was a rough time and that is when I realized I am really on my own now,” Webb said.

Years later, as he began his career in higher education, Webb created a lasting tradition of welcoming students to join him and his family for Thanksgiving in their home. “It’s an opportunity for me to have a nice, home cooked meal, but also to share the company and connect relationships with the students outside of the campus atmosphere. It gives them a sense, an understanding, of who I am,” Webb said.

Webb enjoys cooking. Outside of a traditional turkey, he creates a variety of food, including collard greens, mac and cheese, and smoked ribs.

While growing up, the type of community Webb experienced was through his friends and centered around food. His love for cooking stems from that.

“The type of family community [I saw] was through food; cookouts and barbecues. It was an opportunity for me to actually experience family… everybody was there to celebrate each other, to engage in each other. I saw the impact food can have on bringing people together. If you look at all the events and celebrations we do, there’s always food. I love to barbecue, so it’s a way for me to share something I love to do,” Webb said.

Community, stewardship and hospitality are core Benedictine Values that are ingrained in us here at CSB+SJU. Having only arrived here four months ago, Webb is no stranger to those values.

Webb embodies many Benedictive Values, standout ones being community and hospitality. He hopes his tradition of hosting students for Thanksgiving dinner will reach students here at CSB+SJU, with the aim of creating lasting connections across our community.

“As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, I am delighted to invite any student who may not have a place to go this year to join my family and me for dinner. As someone who once entered college without belonging or knowing where I would spend a holiday, I deeply understand the importance of community, connection, and hospitality. Hosting this dinner is my way of expressing that at our institutions, we live our Benedictine values of respect, compassion, and belonging. I hope you will consider joining us, and know that you are always welcome here,” Webb said.

Webb hopes this opportunity will showcase to students that if they need anything, they can always reach out to him, whether they are seeking support or help, or to celebrate an A on an exam.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the people who looked out for me. I know the impact other people can have on an individual’s life,” Webb said.

From playing card games, tossing a football around with Webb and his two kids, or simply enjoying a home cooked meal with good company and community, Webb and his family welcome students warmly this Thanksgiving season.

“It would be our joy to welcome [students] to our table and share an evening of good food, conversation and fellowship rooted in the Benedictine spirit of “all are to be welcomed as Christ,’” Webb said.

If you are interested in joining them for Thanksgiving, please email Joseph Webb at jwebb001@csbsju.edu by Friday, Nov. 21, so that they can plan accordingly.