Bringing students and the community to the front lawn of the Administration Building to celebrate Christmas cheer together, a towering 16-foot Leyland cypress draped in hundreds of twinkling lights and shimmering ornaments waited to be illuminated last Wednesday for USM’s annual Lighting the Way event.
As the rain stopped and the air turned crisp, hundreds of students began to gather around the large fountain on the front lawn. Small groups of friends huddled together, cups of hot cocoa in hand, seeking warmth as the crowd grew around them, each face glowing with excitement and anticipation.
The ceremony opened with University President Dr. Joe Paul, who spoke about the traditions and importance of community at a time like this.
“It’s a grand tradition at Southern Miss and officially opens the Christmas holiday season,” said Paul, “a season to remember the reason and love one another.”
Afterward, Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker gave a speech about how lighting the way allows people to honor traditions and make them feel part of something that is bigger than themselves.
“It just showcases how intertwined the university and the city are,” Barker said. “I remember coming to this as a college student, and seeing it continue is a very special thing.”
After a few carols were sung and candles lit, it was finally time for the moment everyone had been eagerly waiting for. Paul took the stage once again, leading the crowd in a countdown. When the switch was finally flipped, the magnificent Christmas tree burst to life casting a warm, sparkling glow across the gathering.
After the lighting of the tree, the celebration continued inside the Thad Cochran Building with several holiday-themed booths set up around the room. Students, children, and families all gathered around to make bags of reindeer food, to craft personalized ornaments, to decorate cookies and to even write letters to Santa. With the tree shining brightly and the night sky filled with twinkling stars, the ceremony was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.
“It’s just a joyous occasion,” said Lydia Pierce, the executive assistant to the vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. “It’s a joyful, fun-filled memory.”