SMU’s Celebration of Lights, marking the beginning of the holiday season, will take place on the steps of Dallas Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5. The 45-minute celebration includes the lighting of 100,000 tiny white lights throughout the center of the SMU campus.
This year will be the 27th annual Celebration of Lights. Student Foundation coordinates the event. The columns of Dallas Hall and the surrounding trees will be lit, and rows of luminaries will be placed along the campus walkways.
The SMU community and the public are encouraged to join together for a night of caroling and holiday performances by the SMU Meadows of the Arts choir, along with a brass quartet. Programs and candles will be distributed.
During the event, William Finnin, the university chaplain, will speak about the celebration of Christmas. In addition, university President R. Gerald Turner will read the Christmas Story from the New Testament.
The celebration will conclude with the lighting of the SMU Christmas tree. A public reception will immediately follow the celebration in the Hughes-Trigg ballroom. Hot chocolate, cider, cookies and desserts will be provided.
“The Celebration of Lights is a great way for the community to come celebrate the festive holiday season,” said Katie Horgan, vice president of Student Foundations.
The Celebration of Lights tradition began in 1977 as a way for students to show their appreciation to university donors and spread the holiday spirit.
The first Celebration of Lights had a rocky start when the Student Foundation ordered 5,000 bulbs that turned out to be bright orange. But the Student Foundation’s Celebration of Light’s Committee replaced the orange bulbs with white bulbs all by hand.
Since then, Student Foundation has made sure the bulbs were white. SMU hires a professional lighting company to hang and take down the lights. The lights are removed right after New Year’s Eve.
In addition to the Celebration of Lights, the Student Foundation sends out forms to fraternities, sororities and other organizations on campus to sponsor a child from the Cesar Chavez Learning Enhancement Center.
Those who sponsor a child receive a wish list from the child and are required to spend a minimum of $40 for the child’s present.
Sponsors will meet and sit with the child at the Celebration of Lights. Following the event, a reception will be held in the Hughes-Trigg Varsity for children, parents and sponsors. This reception includes Santa Claus, magicians, crafts and food. In addition, the sponsors will present the gift to the child.
