Since 2016, Sacred Heart University has celebrated the holiday season with a beloved tradition featuring carolers, ice skating and dazzling lights. This year, you can be a part of the festivities by joining the SHU community on Dec. 1 at West Campus for their annual tree lighting ceremony and open skate.
Source: Facebook, Sacred Heart University
The event is open to all SHU students and faculty for no extra cost. Shuttles will be running to transport students between campuses throughout the event.
“It is such a fun way to kick off the holiday season,” said sophomore Hannah Lewis. “My friends and I are so excited to see the tree all lit. It is one of the events we have been looking forward to all year.”
For some students, being away from home for the holiday season can be difficult, but at SHU, traditions like this aim to bring the campus community together.
“I remember when I was younger, my family would go caroling around the holidays, so it is so nostalgic to hear the chorus perform Christmas carols,” said sophomore Hannah Rice.
The tree lighting aims to spread holiday cheer throughout campus through community, cookies and even some carolers.
“The SHU Choral Program is part of the kick-off each year, singing Christmas carols, to entertain a large gathering of students, faculty/staff, and neighbors,” said Christopher Grundy, director of Choral Programs. “The tree lighting is particularly special to the singers of the SHU Choral Program, because it is an opportunity to engage with the community outside the concert hall, and to share the joy of music in a beautiful setting.”
Many students have already begun decorating for the holidays, bringing their own traditions to campus. Residence halls display Christmas-themed boards, dorms with bay windows act as festive displays, and even the on-campus Starbucks has embraced the holiday spirit with its limited-edition holiday menu.
“My favorite Christmas tradition has always been decorating the tree. It is so cool that SHU decorates a community tree for everyone to see. It definitely heightens the Christmas spirit around campus,” said senior Chastity Monaghan.
“This year will be my first year going to the tree lighting, but I have high hopes. Christmas is my favorite time of year, so you can say I’m pretty excited,” said sophomore Olivia Olabonte.
With high attendance in previous years, you can expect to see lots of familiar faces from around campus and maybe even meet some new ones.
“This event starts the season off right with all members of our community on a holiday that celebrates togetherness,” said Cynthia Conte, coordinator of Event Management. “It is important that we all get together and realize how much we have to celebrate at Sacred Heart.”
The tree lighting will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by community open skate at the Martire Family Arena. All are encouraged to come and celebrate the holiday season with the SHU community.
