Students lined up in droves at both the Main Windsor and Chatham campuses of St. Clair College Tuesday for a rare chance to turn the tables on their professors — one pie at a time.
"This gives them a chance to actually aim high," joked Prof. John Lassaline, the program coordinator for the Paramedic program. More than a dozen students paid for a chance to take aim at Prof. Lassaline, while raising money for United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent.
"In the Paramedic program, giving back is one of the cornerstones," said Lassaline. "We really push that in our program, and volunteerism, so the students are very, very community oriented."
Brent Banwell, a first-year Paramedic student, paid $20 for six pies and didn't waste a single toss.
"Twenty dollars, very well spent," said Banwell. "John Lassaline is a fantastic professor in the sense that he pushes all of us. I think my whole friend group here can say that he pushes us to become the paramedics that we truly want to be."
"At the same time, does it feel good to pie a professor? Yeah!" Banwell said with a laugh. "But giving back to the community is why we do it."
Windsor professors who signed up to take part include Ryan Marshall, John Lassaline, Elaine Chatwood, Jason Milling, Ed Marocko, Esmerelda Sokoli, Hannah Costa, Kaitlyn Harnden, Pete Soulliere and Justina Ciarlariello. Saints Student Athletic Association President George Karatzias also took a few for the team.
At Chatham Campus, a cast of professors and student leaders lined up to take a pie in the face, raising $600 on the day.
Professors Ryan Pepper, Peg Smolders, Derek Jane, Andrea Pepper, Adrian Viselli, Greg Bartlett, Mark Petryshyn along with Thames Students Inc. president, Suhas Rawal, TSI members Kaitlynn Byrne and Rogier Blondeel all volunteered to get a little messy for the cause.
"A big thanks to the students who came out, supported the event, and purchased pies," said Dr. Andrea Pepper, a Nursing professor who also helped organize the event in Chatham. "Their generosity and enthusiasm helped raise much-needed funds for the United Way, and it was so fun to see everyone come together for such a great cause."
It's part of a larger fundraising week for students, staff, and faculty at St. Clair College from Feb. 9 to 13, 2026. The College is hosting multiple events at all campuses to raise funds for the United Way's local programming, including On Track to Success, School Lunch programs, Period Promise, BaCK to School and help remove barriers to build a brighter future for the communities of Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.
"These activities showcase the creativity and enthusiasm of the entire St. Clair College organization in support of United Way," said Stacey Van Roie, Relationship Manager with United Way. "United Way could not do our work without community-minded partners like St. Clair College, whose leadership and generosity help create lasting change."
Today's Pie Your Prof events were supported by the Student Representative Council, Thames Students Inc., Saints Student Athletic Association, and some faculty members.
"United Way is deeply grateful for its long history of support from St. Clair College," Van Roie said.
Click to see a listing of other events taking place throughout the week.
