(Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)
The cold, rainy weather didn’t stop people from attending the 34th annual SMU Celebration of Lights ceremony.
Students and Dallas residents gathered at 7 p.m. on Sunday on the Dallas Hall lawn for hot chocolate, singing and candle lighting.
The night kicked off with Southern Gentlemen singing “The Christmas Song,” followed by a welcome from Student Foundation President Elisabeth Knutzen.
From there, various singing groups led the audience in popular Christmas carols like “Joy to the World” and “The First Noel.”
SMU President R. Gerald Turner then took the stage and read The Christmas Story from the Book of Luke in The Bible.
Closing remarks were made by the Campus Events Chair, Jordan Kragen, who thanked everyone for coming to the annual campus tradition.
Following her remarks, the candles were blown out and everyone joined together to sing “Silent Night” and watch the lights illuminate the sky.
Julie Amundson, a senior SMU student, didn’t let the weather affect the night.
“Even though it was raining, I didn’t want to miss the ceremony,” Amundson said. “It’s always nice to have such a special ceremony right before finals start.”
This joyous tradition may have started 34 years ago, but it is still just as special today as it was when it started.
“It was freezing, windy and raining,” Johnson, an SMU senior, said. “It’s my last celebration of lights and I wasn’t going to let a little rain stop me from going.”
The night was a success, with people of all ages singing together traditional holiday songs.
Faculty, staff, students and the surrounding community all kept warm by drinking free hot chocolate and huddling close together.
Celeste Sullivan took a break from studying for fnals at the library to attend the Celebration of Lights.
“The ceremony is a nice study break,” Sullivan said. “It’s a great time to be with friends and enjoy Christmas with everyone before you go home for the holidays.”
A large Christmas tree, Dallas Hall and surrounding trees were lighted with more than 100,000 lights to start this years holiday season.
People will be able to enjoy the twinkling lights all through Christmas.
SMU student Tracy Diers loves having the campus lit up through the holiday season.
“It’s so nice walking through campus and seeing it all lit up. It really is beautiful,” Diers said.
Even though other areas such as Highland Park Village put up impressive lights, it is hard to compete with SMU.
When the evening ended, students dispersed and went back to hitting the books for final exams.
Despite the weather, this year’s event was a success and a great way to lead into the holiday season.
(Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)
(Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)
(Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)
(Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)
(Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)
(Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)
