The spirit of the Warhawk and the spirit of the season come together Monday, Nov. 22, for the University of Louisiana Monroe’s Warhawk Wonderland holiday festivities.
Scott Plaza will be the setting for entertainment and the tree lighting beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the School of Visual and Performing Arts Jazz Ensemble “Home for the Holidays” concert at 7:30 p.m. in Brown Auditorium.
The gathering at Scott Plaza will be MC’d by newly crowned Miss ULM 2022 Asja Jordan and Mr. ULM 2022 Jared Anders. Campus Activities Board Vice President Laurin Turner will welcome the crowd and be joined by President Ron Berry for the countdown to lighting the tree.
President Berry said the lights on campus are symbolic of the power inside everyone to be a catalyst for change and positivity.
“As we begin the holiday season by lighting our tree and campus, whether we are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or something else, let us all be the light in someone else’s lives,” Berry said. “Let us be the hope, the goodness, the wise counsel, or the signal of days to come where possibilities become opportunities fully realized. As we brighten our campus lights, let them serve as a sign of welcome, a sign of hope, a sign of better things to come, and a sign of celebration of the transformative process we live each and every day at ULM.”
Observing the holiday season is a long-standing custom at the university. The Purple Jacket Club sponsored the first Christmas tree in December 1936. Participants drew names, and small gifts (price limit 25 cents) were exchanged. Gifts to the Purple Jackets were donated to a needy family.
Joel Sinclair, Coordinator of Student Activities, said Warhawk Wonderland is a time to bring people together.
“We invite our campus and community to ring in the holiday season at ULM. This tradition brings our students, faculty, staff, and families together and is always a special time for those involved. We know this year has had its ups and downs, so we hope to spread holiday cheer with the lighting of the ULM Christmas tree,” Sinclair said.
Entertainment features holiday renditions by the new Mr. ULM 2022 and Mr. ULM 2021 Ryan Petersen, both accomplished musicians. A tuba ensemble from the Sound of Today will perform seasonal tunes. The Hawkline will perform a routine to “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson.
Sip complimentary hot chocolate and eggnog while decorating holiday cookies – sponsored by the ULM Student Government Association. CAB will have holiday plushie stuffing, and of course, there will be photos with Santa Claus (aka CAB President Bryce Lovelady) and Ace the
Warhawk.
ULM Jazz Ensemble “Home for the Holidays” concert
Dr. Eric Siereveld, Assistant Professor of Trumpet, directs the ULM Jazz Ensemble “Home for the Holidays” concert starting at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Brown Auditorium.
This concert will present selections from Ellington’s “Nutcracker Suite,” the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and many seasonal favorites performed with Big Band flair.
“With a special program comes special guests,” Siereveld said. “The ensemble will be joined by guest artist Dr. Trevor Davis on clarinet and guest conductor Matthew Anklan. We hope you’ll join us for a festive celebration to kick of the holiday season.”
Jazz Ensemble members are Hayden Ferguson, Marley Clevenger, Kristian Beavers, Christopher Moravek, Emily Roberts, Duncan Fontenot, Daniel Simons, Solomon Abang, Noah Rampmaier, Jonathan DeCou, Neill Roshto, Christopher Perdue, Clayton Moses, Dakota Sanson, Michael Rivera, George Rogers, John Farmer, William Ledet, Ethan Williams, and Ryan Petersen.
Admission to Warhawk Wonderland and the Jazz Ensemble concert is free, and the public is invited to attend.
ULM upcoming schedules
- The Thanksgiving break begins at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 24, with the university remaining closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25-26. Classes and regular business hours resume at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 29.
- Commencement exercises for summer and fall 2021 graduates will be Saturday, Dec. 11. The ceremonies are by college and will be in Fant-Ewing Coliseum: 8:30 a.m. – College of Health Sciences, 11 a.m. – College of Arts, Education, and Sciences, 2 p.m. – College of Pharmacy, and 4 p.m. – College of Business and Social Sciences.
- The Christmas and New Year’s break is Dec. 20-31. University operations resume at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. The spring 2022 semester begins on Monday, Jan. 10.