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Winter
wonderland
Campus gathers for 22nd annual
tree lighting
By Kristen Eloe
Skiff Staff
Christmas carols, twinkling lights and steaming hot
chocolate warmed the wintery air Wednesday night at
the 22nd annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Sadler
Hall’s lawn.
The event, sponsored by Order of Omega and Bank One’s
“The Spirit of Christmas” program, drew hundreds,
both new and old, for the holiday tradition.
“This is my number one favorite thing that happens
here at TCU,” said Tim Bates, a senior engineering
major.
The event began with the arrival of Chancellor Michael
Ferrari and his wife, Jan, and Santa and Mrs. Claus
in a white horse-drawn carriage. The evening marked
Ferrari’s last tree lighting. He will retire at
the end of the spring semester.
Ferrari spoke about the significance of the university
joining together as a community to express shared hopes
for peace.
“The gifts demonstrate sensitivity and compassion
for people less fortunate than ourselves,” said
Ferrari, adding this event will remain as one of his
most cherished memories at TCU.
Following his speech, Ferrari lit the 20-foot Christmas
tree located on the steps of Sadler Hall. The Focus
Band from Christ Chapel Bible Church led the audience
in Christmas carols.
Meanwhile Nikashia Franklin, a freshman biology major,
just tried to keep warm with temperatures dipping to
28 degrees Wednesday, according to the National Weather
Service.
“It’s cold,” Franklin said.
Franklin’s thoughts were echoed by others. Yet
for some the cold weather was not an issue.
“It seemed like a good night to come out and see
the lights and drink cocoa,” said Brent Plate,
a religion and art professor.
Besides the lighting of the tree, participants brought
gifts which Bank One will distribute to Child Protective
Services for children who might not otherwise receive
presents. Students formed a human chain carrying the
gifts from under the tree to the Bank One truck.
Jenny Specht, vice president of programming for Order
of Omega, said she thought everyone who attended the
program enjoyed themselves. The program included the
traditional poem “The Night Before Finals”
and students sang a candle-lit version of “Silent
Night,” despite the wind blowing out the flames.
“I like when the whole campus gets together,”
said Lisa Cloud, a senior marketing major. “We
should do this more often.”
Kristen Eloe
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