What better way to get acquainted with the man who holds ultimate control of your academic future than over holed pastries?

Schreyer Honors College students met Friday morning with Christian Brady, their new dean as of this semester, at the first installment of "Donuts with the Dean," which Brady said will become a monthly event.

A group of students crowded around Brady to chat in the lobby of Atherton Hall as others stopped by briefly before grabbing donuts or coffee and leaving.

"I take full responsibility for it," Brady said of the idea, saying the turnout was beyond his expectations. "It's because I want to hear from the students."

Brady said faculty will also be conducting weekly roundtables to discuss various topics and gather student input.

He said a few of his major goals are to provide more financial support for scholars and to encourage them to continue to take active roles in the community.

"I'd like to see as many people as possible getting scholarships," he said.

Chris Lengerich (sophomore-bioengineering) said a major reason he decided to come was "free food, which is amazing and much welcomed on the college budget."

Lengerich said Brady seemed friendly and dedicated to the students.

"I think he brings a lot of vitality to the honors college and is definitely excited about what he's doing," he said.

Tara Saunders (junior-history and comparative literature) said she came for the donuts and appreciated the mutual chance to pick brains with Brady.

"He actually seems dedicated to meeting people in the college," Saunders said.

Megan Lighty (senior-animal science) said the event was a good way to get the scholars to socialize.

"It is a community, but sometimes we end up studying so much that we don't come out of our rooms and talk to each other," she said.

Brady also mentioned that he had put himself on Facebook. At his old school, Tulane University, his students even dedicated a group to him called "The Brady Bunch."

"You can poke me all you like, but I will not poke back. It seems inappropriate," Brady said to his students.