The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

CIU students sing carols as the Christmas tree is lit.

Carols on the Quad (Photo by CIU Student Photographer Alicia Heatherly)

CIU Family Christmas Event Celebrates the Christmas Season

By Michael A. Lanier

CIU Student Writer

The center of Columbia International University's campus was alive with the Christmas spirit Dec. 3, as the CIU family gathered to celebrate Jesus' birth at “A CIU Family Christmas” sponsored by the Student Senate.

The event featured live music, snacks and photos with Santa Claus; that is, CIU President Dr. Bill Jones dressed as Santa. 

“[This event] showed how everyone at CIU enjoys spending time together, connecting,” said freshman Ben McLoghlin.

As a live Christmas tree was lit in the quad in front of the library, those in attendance were given a candle to light, Christmas carols were sung, and the Christmas story was read from the Bible.

“This event brought back nostalgia to past Christmases, and it was enjoyable to see people from all traditions celebrating together,” said senior Mitch Gebel.

Over 100 CIU students, faculty members, and alumni joined in.

“The CIU Christmas party was a refreshing time of fellowship and a good reminder of the reason we celebrate,” said freshman Laura Lanier.

“It was awesome to see the whole school coming together to celebrate our Lord's birth,” added freshman Brandon Brazell.

From freshmen to graduate students, all agreed the event went above and beyond a simple social gathering.

“I've never seen Student Senate put on such a great time of fellowship among the student body,” said graduate student Timothy Wolff.

See Christmas photos by CIU student photographers Alicia Heatherly and Christine Benz on CIU's Flickr page.