New to campus this year are more than 30,000 LED bulbs that will cut holiday light energy use by more than 90 percent over previous years.
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Elon University ushered in the 2011 winter season Thursday evening with its Festival of Holiday Lights, an annual tradition that brings together in the heart of campus several hundred students, professors, staff and families.
Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, new this year were the types of lights that adorned Alamance building, the Moseley Center and 29 trees surrounding Young Commons and Scott Plaza. Approximately 645 strands of LED lights – containing an estimated 36,000 bulbs – will use 90 percent less power this month than in previous seasons.
Fifteen hundred luminarias also filled the evening with a soft glow as revelers enjoyed hot chocolate and cider, carolers dressed in Victorian Era attire and the a capella group Sweet Signatures serenaded the crowd with holiday selections, and students from Hillel lit candles on a Menorah as a symbol of the Jewish holiday that starts later in the month.
And true to form, the evening included a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Jolly ‘ol St. Nicholas greeted children whose eyes grew as wide as Kris Kringle’s girth.
View a photo gallery of the evening program here.
Students and staff spoke about what Elon’s annual lighting ceremony means to them and why they joined in the celebration. Here’s what they said:
“It’s the entire community coming together and remembering why we chose Elon, why we go here.” – Sydney Mitgang, sophomore, from Yorktown Heights, N.Y.
“To me, this is the school coming together to celebrate our diversity while being united beneath it. It’s a beautiful time of year to come together.” – Sonia Berger, freshman, from Denver, Colo.
“It’s a powerful image to have a group of Jewish students stand up in front of university, proud and happy about being Jewish at Elon. It’s powerful for me.” – Nancy Luberoff, director, Elon Hillel
“It’s my favorite Elon tradition! I’ve never miss it. We refrained from decorating our apartment until tonight.” – Kelsey Haines, junior, from Cincinnati, Ohio
“For me, it’s the start of the Christmas season. Christmas has started now that the luminarias and lights are lit.” – Elizabeth Hilliard, junior, from Durham, N.C.
“It’s a tradition and we’ve come every year. It’s awesome that the school does this to celebrate the end of the semester and the holidays.” – Jessica Holder, senior, from Gastonia, N.C.
“It’s a celebration of everyone coming together, recognizing the holidays no matter what religion you are, sharing the season and sharing the moment.” – Drew Gardner, senior, from Cary, N.C.
“This lightens the mood around finals when everyone is really stressed out, but you can’t be in a bad mood with the Christmas lights.” – John Antonelli, sophomore, from Miami, Fla.
“It’s nice to come out and hang out with friends. It creates a good atmosphere.” – Ranley Gousse, junior, from Orlando, Fla.
“This reiterates the fact that Elon is ‘home away from home’ for many students, especially during the holidays.” – Alyssa Brown, junior, from Apex, N.C.
“This is my favorite Elon tradition. The reason I chose Elon is because of its sense of community and its traditions.” – Ashlee McCullock, junior, from Cary, N.C.