NGN Secures the Holiday Fun at Yale

The NGN team embodied both fear and cheer at the end-of-year Halloween and holiday festivities for the IT Department, dressing very much in theme for each occasion. With 235 buildings under their belt and 105 left to migrate, it was a welcome break for some fun and camaraderie with their broader IT family.

In October, the IT Department hosted its 2^nd Annual IT Spooktacular Halloween Lunch & Costume Party, where several NGN team members cast a spell of creativity and humor with their “firewall” theme that earned them runner-up for best group costume and some knowing chuckles from their tech-savvy colleagues. Donning fiery, orange wigs, flaming sunglasses, and brick-patterned panels, the three-person strong firewall presented a united front against a suspicious “unauthorized user,” creeping about in a bandit beanie, dark sunglasses, and warning sign. 

To top it off, their imaginative and humorous nod to NGN’s mission did not go unnoticed by Boola, Yale’s beloved ISO mascot, as its handlers caught the buzz of this play on cybersecurity right away!

Following on the heels of the Halloween party, the NGN team took a trip to the tropics at 25 Science Park for the annual IT Holiday Party in December, where IT colleagues from across the University came together in their colorful Hawaiian shirts, sandals, and leis for great fun, conversation, and food. Party-goers rocked out to some all-time favorite tunes performed by in-house IT musicians while the friendly competition at the ping-pong table grew livelier by the minute. The event was made all the more special by an appearance by Yale’s friendly and adorable mascot, Handsome Dan, accompanied by his best canine buddy, Heidi, Yale’s public safety service dog, who will be retiring this Spring with her handler.

As we say farewell to 2024 (and Heidi), we look forward to what’s in store for 2025 and wish each and every one of our Yale colleagues (and canines) a healthy and happy New Year!