Annual Tree Lighting Returns Featuring New Christmas Tree

Photography by James Ortiz, Staff Photographer

On November 16, Regis hosted their annual tree lighting ceremony and celebration, though without the beloved grand evergreen that served as Regis’ Christmas tree for over 30 years. A different evergreen was featured as this year’s Christmas tree, and star of the tree lighting ceremony. Gone, but not forgotten, the prior tree was honored in the speech preceding the lighting. Other festivities included an ice sculpture of Main Hall, gingerbread house decorating, cotton candy, letters to Santa with Make-A-Wish Colorado, and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus! A night of festivities enjoyed by the Regis community.

Annual Tree Lighting Festivities

Photo Source // Amy Reglin

By: Morgan Jacoubs, Staff Writer

On a night of merriment and cheer, the Regis community gathered around the tree sipping hot chocolate, taking pictures with Santa, and much more at this year’s annual tree lighting. 

Several families came on campus to join in on the festivities, which included taking train rides around the quad as well as decorating gingerbread men and writing letters to Santa in the Student Center. 

As part of RUSGA’s introduction to the tree lighting, they invited Regis President Father John Fitzgibbons to speak. 

“They say that Easter is the holiest day, but I say there ain’t no Easter without Christmas… We started with a very challenging semester, but I could not be more proud… With all my heart the best Christmas present I ever received is to be here with you,” said Fr. Fitzgibbons. 

After Fr. Fitzgibbons’ introduction, Regi Worles and Tricia Charfauros sung “How Great Thou Art” and another resident Jesuit Father Bill Oulvey lead a prayer.

“Bless all of us here, bless this tree as a reminder of the gift of your son to this world,” said Fr. Oulvey. 

Though a very festive night, some students wished for more as far as the music went. 

“I mean I thought it was cute, I just wish the concert choir would have sang at it. I feel like that would have been [really] cool, but Regi and [Tricia] were really good,” said first year student, Alaina Valdespino. 

Though there are some possible considerations for next year’s tree lighting, it was a good night had by all, and now the Regis campus is more festive with a big tree entwined in blue and yellow lights, with Main Hall also showing its festive side with a green and red illumination of its façade. 

Holiday Spirit Fills Regis’ Northwest Denver Campus

The famous whit fir tree decorated for the holiday season. //Traci Wuerstl

By: Traci Wuerstl, Practicum Reporter

“God bless us everyone.” - Tiny Tim

As the sun began to set on Thursday, Nov. 29 around 5 p.m., Regis University students began to gather around as a community as they awaited the annual tree lighting on the Northwest Denver Campus. 

Regis has been bringing the campus community together in the essence of the holiday for more than 25 years. For some students, this event marks the beginning of their Christmas season. 

As the night progressed and cold set in, students and community members shared hot chocolate to warm their hands. 

The Griswold family Christmas lighting made an appearance at Regis during the ceremony. Father John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J., re-enacted the iconic house lighting scene in the movie “Christmas Vacation” for the cameras, which included a 9News video photographer, giving the audience a good laugh. 

Students made their way to the quad and gathered around the nearly 80-foot-tall white fir tree. Students rolled their tongues to create a drumroll that was heard throughout the quad before the University student choir led those in attendance in singing Christmas songs. Smiles were seen all around while “Noel,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jolly Old St. Nicolas” and many more treasured Christmas tunes were sung. 

Some of Regis’ leaders said a few words about the history of this seasonal tradition.

“They wanted to promote religious and racial unity,” said Barbra Wilcox, the vice president of Student Affairs.

For 109 years, the tradition of the Christmas tree lighting has continued in the United States. Tree lightings were used as a way to strengthen communities and bring people together after the rise of urbanization and industrialization. 

“As we come together tonight on this campus, it’s fitting that we return to the roots of this tradition as it honors our core values and serves the most vulnerable among us to discern the greater good to glorify God,” said Wilcox.

The excitement began to rise as the countdown from five began: “5-4-3-2-1,” then everyone cheered as the tree was illuminated with blue and yellow lights top to bottom. 

Some students have been coming to Regis’ annual tree lighting since their freshman year and have made it a tradition to begin their Christmas celebrations.

“I enjoy coming to the Christmas tree lighting every year because it marks the beginning of my holiday season,” said student Virginia De La Torre. 

“It’s great to come together as a community and enjoy this special moment because everybody enjoys moments like this, so we can all join together on campus and enjoy it together,” said student Dani Starks. 

After the tree was lighted, students gathered in Walker’s Pub to enjoy sweet treats and cookie decorating. 

The night came to an end and students made their way home, but the blue and yellow covered tree continues to light the campus for the remainder of this holiday season.