As students count down the days to finals and the imminent winter break, LSU Campus Life provided one last opportunity for the campus to come together and celebrate at its annual Holiday Spectacular Tuesday evening.
A few feet down Raphael Semmes Rd., students took part in the Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration held by the LSU African American Cultural Center.
The Holiday Spectacular, formerly known as the LSU Candlelight Celebration, is a free series of events held across the university’s campus.
Throughout the night, students had the opportunity to see performances in the Student Union Theater, attend the traditional LSU President’s Late Night Breakfast and watch as the Christmas tree near Free Speech Circle was lit.
Last year, the 30-foot magnolia was planted on LSU grounds as a way for Campus Life to be environmentally and financially sustainable. Previously, a tree would be brought in and then removed each year. The tree is cared for by Facility Services throughout the year.
Margo Jolet, associate director of marketing and communication for Campus Life, said the goal of the Holiday Spectacular is to create a sense of community within the campus.
“All these events show how there is something for everyone at LSU,” Jolet said. “We work on this for months in advance and it gets bigger each year.”
LSU President F. King Alexander made his usual rounds at the night’s festivities to take part in the holiday cheer and remind students that the night would finish up with pancakes served at the two on-campus dining halls.
While at the Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration, King told students the story of when he met Maulana Karenga, the man who created Kwanzaa. He said seeing the holiday be recognized at LSU was a pleasing moment.
“It’s an important celebration and to see it spread is important for our university,” Alexander said.
LaKeitha Poole, coordinator for African American Student Affairs, helped coordinate the first Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration when she was a graduate assistant at LSU. She said watching the event grow to include students of all races is a hopeful sign of where the university is going.
“We know we’re 50 and 60 years past some of our largest Civil Rights legislation and I don’t think even 20 years ago we would see an event like this happening on a college campus,” Poole said. “To see that it’s become a part of the Holiday Spectacular shows that there are people who are willing to embrace all that LSU is and has to offer.”
Poole said Pre-Kwanzaa has grown to be an important part of the Holiday Spectacular over the years and a time of collaborative learning for students.
“Holiday Spectacular is programmed according to student needs and the conversations they desire to have with each other and the faculty and staff,” Jolet said. “It’s always been about the students. We try to give them as many chances to have fun and grow as possible.”
