Journalism Final Project

Christmas at Liberty University

by Amelia Whittaker

Liberty University cuts no corners when it comes to celebrating the Christmas holiday around campus, offering many activities to spread the cheer and joy that surrounds the season.

 
The celebrations begin with the annual lighting of the 40-foot Christmas tree in front of DeMoss building and the rest of the lights lining University Boulevard. Preparations for this event began at the beginning of November when the lights were being wrapped around all the trees. Though the event was cancelled this year due to inclement weather, the lights were still turned on lifting any dampened spirits.

 
“Even though we didn’t get to have the official lighting ceremony, I was so happy when I saw the lights finally turned on,” Molly Gusler, Liberty student, said.

 
The lights are accompanied with the addition from last year of speakers lining the street playing festive Christmas music. Along with these decorations the Jerry Falwell Library features three Christmas trees decorated with characters from Charles Dickens Christmas “A Christmas Carol”. In addition to these decorations there are many activities and events that students participate in leading up to their finals and heading home for the holiday.

 
The LU Tower Theater presents the musical “Meet Me in St. Louis” which is running from Dec. 4-13. The annual 2-mile Reindeer Run took place at camp Hydaway with many students participating and watching the event. Camp Hydaway manager Graham Matthews said they had a great turnout and the event was a success.

 
The school of music also will present its annual “Christmas on the Boulevard” where the student choirs and symphony will perform a holiday themed concert for family and friends.

 
Liberty encourages the public to take part in most of its Christmas events inviting them to join in the celebration. Two events that are open only to Liberty staff and students are the Peanuts Christmas in the library and Christmas Convocation. Christmas Convocation is a special convocation that includes singing carols and getting into the Christmas spirit before final exams begin.

 
“Christmas Convocation is so much fun because we get to be silly and act like kids again before worrying about our exams,” Susanne Whittaker, Liberty student, said.

 
Christmas Coffeehouse is another annual event held that showcases many students’ talents as they perform Christmas themed songs, dances and share videos. This is just one more Christmas centered occasion that helps students and the community get into the mood for the holiday.

 
Along with the events offered to the public and Liberty students, Liberty holds an important tradition in getting involved with giving during this time of year. Operation Christmas Child is an organization that allows people to fill a shoebox with items and the news of the gospel and send that box to a child somewhere around the world as a gift for Christmas. These shoeboxes are sent to areas where poverty is high and this is the only present these children will receive.

 
Liberty University has hosted this event for many years and continues to grow the amount of boxes collected. This event helps students focus on the giving part of the holiday and remember what is truly important. University President Jerry Falwell Jr. gets involved each year by packing a shoebox himself.

 
So as the Christmas season draws closer Liberty University displays great Christmas spirit and opportunities to help students and the community celebrate the holiday.

Word Count: 560 words

 

Christmas Spirit at Liberty

by Amelia Whittaker

 

Liberty University celebrates the Christmas season in many forms including various decorations, opportunities to give back and other holiday events.

 
The campus of Liberty University is all lit up this time of year thanks to the many Christmas lights lining University Boulevard and covering the 40-foot Christmas tree. The display of the holiday season is accompanied with Christmas music playing from the speakers along the sidewalks. The students enjoy this cheery environment for their last few weeks on campus.

 
“The lights and tree are my favorite part of the Christmas season here on campus,” Susanne Whittaker, Liberty student, said.

 
Along with decorations, Liberty offers opportunities for their students to give back and remember what is important by working with Operation Christmas Child. This organization allows students to volunteer and help fill shoeboxes to send to children around the world. This is possibly the only gift these children will ever receive making the impact huge.

 
Many other holiday themed activities include:
• Meet Me in St. Louis play
• Reindeer Run
• Christmas on the Boulevard
• Liberty Christmas Convocation
• PraiseFest on Ice

 
The most popular among students seems to be the annual Christmas Coffeehouse event that takes place Dec. 11 at 11:30 p.m. in the Vines Center. This event showcases student talents in song, dance and video production. Each year there is a new theme and this year’s theme is “Fa-la-la-la-la” focusing on classic Christmas songs.

 
This is a time that students get to take a break from all of their studying and worrying about finals and relax with some holiday cheer. This is also an approved late night activity that allows students to be out past the normal 12 a.m. curfew.

 
It is obvious that Liberty University takes the holiday season of Christmas very seriously. They want their students and community to have many opportunities to get into the spirit and help celebrate the season.

Word Count: 312 words

 

Broadcast

 
Probably the first thing you will see when you hit Liberty University’s campus after dark this time of year is the bright Christmas lights// These are one of the many ways the university celebrates the season of Christmas// Many various activities and events help spread the cheer/ but nothing quite holds a candle to the display of lights lining University Boulevard// This year many of the resident dorms have gotten involved in the decorating spirit// This goes to show that Christmas spirit is not lacking among students at Liberty University///

Word Count: 90 words