By Eryn Geary
As the fall semester comes to an end, decorations are showing up all over Jackson. The weather is cooling, and the university’s Christmas traditions have returned for another season.
Union hosts many different events at Christmas that students and faculty look forward to every year.
The event to cap off the semester is “A Union Christmas.” It is an annual concert hosted by the Office of the President to highlight what the Department of Music students accomplish.
“It will feature all three of our choirs — Choral Union, University Singers and Proclamation,” said Dr. Chris Mathews, associate professor of music, department chair and director of choral activities. “Together, they are about 100 voices.”
“A Union Christmas” will be held in the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Mathews said the symphonic band, the handbell choir and the children’s chorus will perform with congregational singing and Scripture readings to round out the festivities.
“The primary goal is to bring us together and help us focus on Christmas and the birth of Christ,” Mathews said. “It’s always an enjoyable event.”
Dr. David S. Dockery, university president, along with his wife, Lanese, said they enjoy spending time with students every year when they read the Christmas story. This marks the 14th year they have hosted the event.
“We read the Christmas story, tell about our favorite Christmas memories and sing Christmas carols together,” Dockery said. “It has become one of our most treasured times with Union students.”
Dockery said the event usually takes place during finals week as a stress-reliever for students. This story time will take place in McAfee Commons on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m.
Another greatly anticipated event in December is the “Carl Perkins Christmas Party” hosted by the Student Activities Council. This event was started by SAC for children of the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. The evening of food and gifts for the children will be a time for Union to come together and serve the Jackson community. The event will be held Thursday at 4 p.m. in the small gym.
An important fall event for sororities is “Panhellenic Christmas.” Women from each of the three groups on campus — Chi Omega, Zeta Tau Alpha and Kappa Delta — come together for fellowship and food.
“We basically have a progressive snacking,” said Emily Logan, senior piano performance major and Zeta. “All three houses open up their doors and have desserts and snacks.”
Logan said the event is to promote Panhellenic unity and to bring the women together. This event was held Nov. 30 in each of the sorority houses. Logan said the event is mainly for sorority sisters, but women who are not a part of the Greek community have never been turned away.
“Deck the Halls,” hosted by Residence Life, Nov. 29, gave students a chance to come together, and decorate their respective apartment buildings as well as the commons with elaborate decorations of their choice.
These events give students a chance to come together and celebrate the birth of Christ.
