Students, Faculty and Staff Gather for President’s Holiday Celebration

Every year, students, faculty and staff gather to attend the President’s Holiday Celebration. This year, the event occurred in Gander Dining Hall Nov. 27, where the holiday season was celebrated through musical performances, donations to the Women’s Safe House and a dessert reception.

The tree in Gander Hall is twice the size of a human in height, and all eyes were glued to it to see its colorful display.

Starting off the event was the lighting of the Menorah by Maryville University Hillel. Each candle was lit by a different student after a musical performance on the guitar.

Following that, Maryville’s President, Mark Lombardi, gave a few words about the holiday season and the university. After his speech, three student groups preformed songs to set the mood.

With it being the third week until Winter Break, the event certainly had students excited. Maryville student, Brie Howerton said it was her “favorite event of the whole year.” 

The occasion put student, Nick Dwyer, in the spirit of the holidays. The vocal work by Maryville’s Gospel Choir, Choral Ensemble and Notorious, Maryville’s a cappella group, played a large role when it came to this. “I particularly enjoyed that. They [Notorious] are very audible, and had good harmonics, as did the other two groups.”

Maryville also spreads awareness about an organization each year at the event. This year, a representative from Women’s Safe House was in attendance. The organization serves as a domestic violence shelter that provides safety and transitional living services to battered women and their dependent children in St. Louis. On behalf of Maryville, a bag of gifts was given to the organization. Donations were also accepted from those in attendance.  

Once President Lombardi said his final words, the tree was lit. Everyone was then free to partake in the dessert reception that had been prepared, while holiday music played on speakers for the remainder of the event.  

The President’s Holiday Celebration serves as a great way to recognize and celebrate the holidays celebrated within the Maryville community.

To learn more information about how you can help out The Women’s Safe House, click here.