For the last 16 years, Darrin Achtzehn has cooked two Thanksgiving dinners, one on the holiday itself and one on the Monday before. Both are for sizable groups of people.

Monday's meal was the traditional Thanksgiving feast for the student body at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, where Mr. Achtzehn is food service director.

Tomorrow he and his staff will do it all again for the 20 to 40 students who won't be going home for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The tables will be set with fine linens and china and topped off with fall holiday centerpieces. Small take-away favors will be at each place setting.

"We try to take a little extra care so [the students] don't feel left out for the holidays," Mr. Achtzehn said. "The tables look just like at home with large platters, bowls and gravy tureens."

If the numbers rise above 40 students, Mr. Achtzehn will set up a buffet line to speed things up a bit.

The traditional menu of turkey, stuffing, vegetables and potatoes ends with pumpkin or apple pie for dessert.

The entire meal is a learning experience for Seton Hill's foreign students.

"We also try to educate the intercultural students as to why we celebrate Thanksgiving," Mr. Achtzehn said.

Dr. Robin Anke, director of residence life, lives on campus and makes sure that every student is taken care of for the holiday. Earlier in the month she posted signs all over campus encouraging students to invite a roommate or teammate to come home with them.

Dr. Anke said most students who remain on campus are either from other countries or are far from home. A few remain because of sports commitments.

Intercultural Student Services Director Rebecca Lee requires intercultural students to submit a form to her with their exact holiday plans.

"This way I have a better understanding of who's here for the holiday, including faculty, staff and students," Ms. Lee said.

Since the university itself is shut down for the holiday weekend, arrangements for meals must be made, and students are charged in addition to their standard meal plan.

Every year Ms. Lee invites some of her intercultural students not only to Thanksgiving, but to Easter dinner. "I have taken them home in the past, and I will take them in the future," she said.

For six years, Dr. Anke has invited student Mehran Saif, who is from Bangladesh, to join her at the home of her parents, Stephen and Pat Illsley, in Gibsonia.

Now a married graduate student, Mr. Saif and his wife, Lunea, are looking forward to the feast. "Am I still invited for Thanksgiving?" Mr. Saif recently asked Dr. Anke.

"He taught me all about Ramadan and I taught him about Thanksgiving," Dr. Anke said.

While eating all day is a big part of our Thanksgiving, fasting until the sun goes down is traditional during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month.

"It's the complete opposite," Dr. Anke laughed.