An annual Elon University tradition brought thousands of students, families and friends to the heart of campus on Dec. 1, 2014, to celebrate the holiday season with song, cider and Santa Claus.
PHOTO GALLERY: Elon University’s 2014 Festival of Holiday Lights
The Festival of Holiday Lights returned Monday night to Elon University with revelers enjoying a campus tradition that ushers in the winter season each year with music, laughter and wonderment.
Thousands of lights illuminated the heart of campus from Moseley Center to Alamance during a program organized by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. Luminaries that lined the brick walkways between the two buildings accented the event.
The evening featured Hanukkah menorah lighting, prayer and music by Twisted Measure, Elon University Gospel Choir, Sweet Signatures, and the Elon University Trombone Quartet. Students in attendance basked in the glow of both the lights and the campus camaraderie.
“It’s something where you can take a break from finals, papers and the chaos that is the end of the semester, and you come out here to be a part of the community,” said Sarah Paille-Jansa, a public health major from Atlanta and president of the senior class. “I think of our community like home. You see faculty and their families, administrators, and a whole lot of students gathered for a moment to share together.”
Others described the positive emotions that luminaries bring to students hundreds of miles from home at a joyous time of year. “When you’re home you have festivities but at college, you don’t have as much,” said Will Mavity, a sophomore cinema major from Atlanta. “There’s a touch of nostalgia.”
Junior Eric Hernandez, a cinema major from Denver, agreed.
“For me, I like the energy. It’s the start of the holiday spirit, and it’s also fun to see the lights come on,” he said. “Tonight is a magical moment, a time to spend with friends at the start of finals week.”
The Dec. 1 ceremony was also the first time Elon recognized alumni donors at the Festival of Holiday Lights. More than 2,300 alums who have made a gift to the university since June 1 had their names placed on a luminary.
The senior class was represented as well on the luminaries. Two hundred and seven seniors have contributed to the class giving campaign, earning them public recognition for support of their alma mater.
“We’re grateful to have alums who continue to touch the life of the university in a meaningful way,” said Jim Piatt, vice president for University Advancement.
About 75 students took part as well Monday night in a nearby silent protest that raised awareness of the August shooting death in Missouri of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer.
Demonstrators stood quietly on the lawn in front of Scott Plaza, some holding candles and others signs that read “fix the system” and “black lives matter,” as the festival unfolded. A short time later, the group walked across Haggard Avenue to form another line on Young Commons near Moseley Center.
The protest took place exactly one week to the day after a Missouri grand jury declined to indict the police officer, which sparked protests across the nation.