I can picture it perfectly. It’s a sunny afternoon with a slight chill in the air, and you come out of a class just in time for lunch.

As you approach the HUB, you already know the golden happiness that awaits inside. You pass through the doors and are greeted by a line that stretches far past Starbucks. You wait patiently until kind Bill Donovan lets you through that beautiful gate, right into the safe place known as the HUB Chick-fil-A.

Sadly, come fall 2021, you will never know this feeling again.

This past week, Penn State released the tragic news that the Chick-fil-A Express that calls the HUB home will be replaced by Slim Chickens next fall. I have never gotten a chance to try Slim Chickens yet and look forward to it. But right now, Penn State students are mourning. Who could blame us?

The HUB Chick-fil-A was the place many of us turned to in times of need. It was the place we went with our friends to grab some fries before sitting for hours studying and chatting about our days. It was the place my dad took me when NSO had stressed me out because he knew that a delicious chicken sandwich with pickles would cure me (and yes, it did work).

As this semester comes to a close over the next month and a half, remember to take the time to appreciate that long line. Thank those workers that effortlessly provide us with nuggets, sandwiches, and an abundance of Chick-fil-A sauces. I do feel hopeful for the future of Slim Chickens.

For now, though, thank you, Chick-fil-A. It has been our pleasure.