2008 Woodie Awards
Friday night lights: 49th-annual Carol of Lights ceremony reflects the beginning of the holiday season
Ann Luu
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: La Vida
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Students, faculty, staff members, alumni and Lubbockites huddled together for warmth as they waited in the parking lot of the Science Quadrangle and Memorial Circle for the festivities to begin.
"The Carol of Lights really puts us on the map," said Christina Phan, a senior public relations major from Chino Hills, Calif. "We're known nationally for our ceremony. I get e-mails all the time from people in New York or Cornell University asking for advice to start their own."
The tradition started in 1959 with just 5,000 lights, and it increased to 16,000 lights in the first official Carol of Lights ceremony in 1961. Friday, five times more than the original number of lights lit up the campus.
"It's one of the oldest traditions at Texas Tech," said Phan, president of Residence Halls Association. "It's amazing because at the flick of a switch, 25,000 light bulbs are lit."
The Carol of Lights ceremony began with a torchlight processional by the Saddle Tramps, parading of the Masked Rider and Raider Red and a speech from Phan.
Phan said for the first time in Carol of Lights history, the ceremony hosted its first female soloist, Kathryn Barnes-Buroughs, who sang, "O, Holy Night."
The audience also listened to Tech's combined choirs sing Christmas carols, keeping alive the tradition of caroling that started with a group of students singing through the residence halls in 1959.
Lindsay Swartwood, a freshman music education major from Denton who is a member of University Choir, said she was excited to participate in this tradition.
"I didn't expect so many people to be there," she said. "I was honored to be in an organization that is supportive of such a great tradition. It put me in the mood of the season."
Silent Raiders also participated in the event, with two students signing the songs and two signing the speeches.
After the carols and speeches, the moment came. In a matter of seconds, the front of campus was illuminated, and cheers issued from the crowd.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
4th YEAR OF CAROL OFLIGHTS
posted 12/02/07 @ 8:19 PM CST
I loved the Carol of Lights speech this year. It was great and really heartfelt.
JT Aguilar
posted 12/02/07 @ 10:27 PM CST
Trent Barnes is a horrible photog. Who is this Knuckle Head anyway? Does the DT not have a full photo staff anymore?
Dottie Phillips
posted 12/03/07 @ 9:00 AM CST
I loved seeing the pictures of Carol of the Lights. That was always a wonderful evening when I was there 1972-76). So many organizations working together - the music dept, the RHA, the Saddle Tramps, WSO & Alpha Phi Omega. (Continued…)
Jacob Day
posted 12/03/07 @ 12:04 PM CST
Am I the only one disappointed that there wasn't an article in Friday's paper letting us know that Carol of Lights was that night. I went, but talked to a friend on Saturday that had planned to go but missed it because he didn't know when it was. (Continued…)
Jacob Day
posted 12/03/07 @ 12:05 PM CST
Am I the only one disappointed that there wasn't an article in Friday's paper letting us know that Carol of Lights was that night. I went, but talked to a friend on Saturday that had planned to go but missed it because he didn't know when it was. (Continued…)
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