by Nicole Hackett, Student Public Relations Writer
Christmas is more than a national holiday for the students at Cedarville University. It’s also a time to reflect on the reason the university exists.
“Cedarville’s tagline, ‘For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ,’ is where it all starts,” explained Dan MacDougall, assistant director of student life programs. “Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth, the same Jesus we talk about in our tagline. It is huge. It is in our foundation; it’s woven into Cedarville’s fabric.”
Cedarville’s Christmas celebration began on Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. when the Student Center Activity Board (SCAB) pulled an all-nighter to decorate the Stevens Student Center (SSC) from top to bottom. Approximately 50 Christmas trees were spread throughout the SSC and a massive slide was set up for students to enjoy.
Because the SSC received a facelift in the summer, a few changes have been made to this year’s decorations. In front of the new Global Outreach wall, a nativity scene will be set up to show how the Gospel is a global message.
“Something I have learned at Cedarville is knowing your ‘why,’ and doing Campus Christmas contributes to Cedarville's ‘why,’” said Ben Bowden, SCAB team member and senior early childhood education major from West Liberty, Ohio. “We do this so people can see that we love God.”
On Thursday, Dec. 6, Christmas events will begin with the sixth-annual Christmas at the White house when Cedarville President Dr. Thomas White opens his home for a time of food and fellowship. The entire student body is invited, but with limited space, only the first 360 students to RSVP can attend.
“Christmas at the White’s house is such a unique and special opportunity to spend time with Dr. White and his family,” noted Brianna Bence, sophomore marketing major from Grottoes, Virginia. “The love the Whites have for each and every student is so apparent, and this event is just one example of their desire to continue the community on Cedarville’s campus.
“Whether it’s through roasting marshmallows on their patio, decorating cookies with other students or trying Mrs. White’s famous Oreo balls, the evening is full of laughter, fun and the true community that sets Cedarville apart from so many other universities.”
The following day will be Christmas Open Dorms, a residence hall decorating competition. Some hall residents celebrate by simply serving hot chocolate to their guests, while others portray a variety of movie scenes or historical events with extravagant decorations and costumes.
On Friday, Dec. 8, the Christmas events come to a close with the movie “Polar Express” being shown in the DeVries Theatre. A trackless train will be running throughout the festivities in the SSC. Students will also enjoy the traditional breakfast for dinner served by Cedarville faculty, the reading of a Christmas story by one of Cedarville’s faculty members, cookie decorating, Christmas karaoke, laser tag and writing Christmas cards.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,193 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.