University Fast Links Academic Affairs Academic Calendar Academic Community Engagement (ACE) Academic Planning and Assessment Accepted Students Admissions (Undergraduate) Admissions (Graduate) Admission Requirements Analytical Laboratory Advising (Medical/Dental Related) Advising (SAM Center) Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Technology Alumni Association Alcohol and Drug Abuse Initiative Army ROTC - Military Science Athletics Banner Banking Bearkat Camp Bearkat Express Payment Bearkat Marching Band Bearkat OneCard Bearkat Transfer Scholarship Blackboard Blinn College Transfers Bookstore Books & Supplies Budget Office Bursar's Office Business Administration Calendars Campus Map Career Services Catalogs Class Schedule Computer Account Creation Computer Labs Continuing Education Controller's Office Correspondence Course Division Counseling Center Criminal Justice Current Students Dean of Students' Office Departments Department of Dance Dining Services Directory Education Educator Preparation Services Emergency Management Employment Opportunities English Language Institute Enrollment Management Environmental, Health and Safety Office Exchange Mail Facilites Management Facilities Space Management Faculty Senate Faculty/Staff Directory Final Exam Schedule Finance and Operations Financial Aid Fine Arts and Mass Communication First-Year Experience General Information Graduate Studies Great Names Health Sciences Honors College Homecoming Human Resources Humanities and Social Sciences IT@Sam IT@Sam Service Desk Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) Institutional Effectiveness Internal Grant Program Institutional Review Board (IRB) International Programs Joint Admission Students KatFacts Library (NGL) Lone Star College Transfers Lowman Student Center Map - Campus Marketing & Communications Math CAMP Medical & Allied Health Programs McNair Program Military Science Mobile Go Center Music Music Choir News Nursing Office of Business Services Office of the President Online Information Request Organization Chart Orientation - New Student PACE Parent Relations Office Parking Payroll Office Procurement and Business Services Procurement Opportunities Project Connect Property Prospective Students Public Safety Quality Enhancement Plan Reading Center Recreational Sports Registration Registrar's Office Research and Sponsored Programs Residence Life Risk Management Sam Shuttle SACS Reaffirmation Sam Houston Memorial Museum SamMenu (Download) SamWeb Sciences Services for Students with Disabilities Schedule of Classes Scholarships SHSU Marketplace Spirit Programs Staff Council Student Activities Student Government Association Student Health Center Student Legal Services Student Money Management Center Student Services Student Services Calendar Summer Camps Technology Tutorials Testing Center Theatre and Dance Today@Sam Tour the University Transcripts Transfer Equivalency Guide Transfer Students TRIES University Advancement University Center University Hotel University Park - Northwest Houston Campus University Police Department Veterans Visitor & Alumni Center The Woodlands Center Writing Center

 

Annual Ceremony Promotes Holiday Spirit

Nov. 12, 2010
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt

 

The first tree used as part of the tree lighting ceremony still stands in the Evans Complex garden, located between the two complex buildings. This picture is from the 1930 Acalde.

In this 1940 aerial view of campus, the original "Tree of Light" is shown above (by the red dot) before the two Evans Complex buildings were constructed.

The traditional ceremony was moved to in front of the Old Main Building in 1966.

In 1980, the ceremony, using fresh-cut trees, was held in a large circular planter where the Blatchley Bell Tower is now located. The photo above was taken in 1987.

Each December, the holiday spirit spreads across the university as members of the Bearkat community gather around the "Tree of Light" to celebrate the season of giving.

Richly steeped in the history of Sam Houston State University, the ceremony has opened the Christmas season on campus for 89 years, beginning in 1921 when a large cedar “west of the Training school” was decorated for the first tree lighting ceremony.

This year’s 90th event will take place on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. in Bearkat Plaza.

Although recognized in 1938 as a symbol of “unwavering courage in the face of discouragement, of cheerfulness that never frowns” by President Harry F. Estill for “bravely maintain(ing) its beauty throughout the year,” the tree that was first used was scheduled to be demolished twice as part of planned construction.

For undocumented reasons it was saved both times and still stands today in the Evans Complex garden, between the two buildings that make up the complex.

In 1966, university officials decided that the Evans Complex cedar tree was no longer visible enough, and the ceremony was moved to a large cedar in front of Old Main, where it was held for the next 14 years. This tree was a casualty to the fire that destroyed Old Main on Feb. 12, 1982.

Beginning in 1980, a new tradition that would last for more than two decades began, and the “Tree of Light” ceremony was moved to a large circular planter where the Bell Tower is now located. As part of the tradition, a large, fresh-cut tree was brought in to serve as the “Tree of Light.”

As construction began on the Bell Tower, the “Tree of Light” ceremony moved in 2004 to the Academic Building I Mall Area, on the east side of present-day Bearkat Plaza, where the ceremony was held for several years.

In 2005, real trees were replaced with an artificial tree in an act of preservation, which itself began to grow by adding a new base ring annually.

This year, when SHSU celebrates its 90th anniversary of the tradition in the “Tree of Light’s” current location in Bearkat Plaza, the tree will stand at 38 feet.

“The Tree of Light Ceremony is really a program at the ‘heart’ of what Sam Houston State University is all about, bringing Bearkats together,” said Brandon Cooper, assistant director for Student Activities. “It’s a program that the university has hosted for over three quarters of SHSU’s existence in an effort to bring students, faculty and staff and alumni together.

“As we celebrate the 90th year of tradition this year, we are still amazed at support and turnout we receive for this program," Cooper said. "It just grows every year.”

This year’s festivities will include remarks by university president Dana Gibson, performances by the Orange Pride dance team and university choir, and holiday snacks. In addition, 99.7 FM K-Star Country will broadcast live from the event.

To share the holiday spirit with those in need, the Student Activities Department will continue its 15-year tradition of collecting canned goods for a drive that will benefit an area organization.

Student Activities will also feature the history of the event during an exhibit in the Lowman Student Center Art Gallery Monday (Nov. 29) through Friday (Dec. 3).

"The Tree of Light is the university's oldest and most cherished tradition," said Student Activities associate director Angie Taylor. "This tree-lighting ceremony is also a time of giving and reminds students and the university community what the holiday season is all about."

For more information, call Student Activities at 936.294.3861.

 

 

- END -

 

This page maintained by SHSU's Communications Office
Director: Bruce Erickson
Assistant Director: Julia May
Writer: Jennifer Gauntt
Located in the 115 Administration Building
Telephone: 936.294.1836; Fax: 936.294.1834

Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu.