Northwest celebrates holiday season, diversity, inclusion during annual tree lighting

Nov. 30, 2022

The Northwest Missouri State University community gathered Tuesday night around the Memorial Bell Tower for its annual Holiday Tree Lighting and welcomed the season with a celebration of diversity.

The annual event, begun in 2009, helps usher in the holiday season at the University and celebrates the traditions of varied cultures.  

“We place the tree under the Memorial Bell Tower to represent a centering mechanism, the center of our campus and the centering of a symbol of hope, peace and unity,” Northwest Interim President Dr. Clarence Green said. “It is hope, peace and unity that we should remember as we light this tree – a tree that will shine much further than Northwest or Maryville; a tree that represents inclusiveness, a sense of belonging, traditions with memories.”

Northwest student Jatin Thakkar hangs a Hindu Om on the University's holiday tree in recognition of his religious culture. (Photos by Lauren Adams/Northwest Missouri State University)

As members of the Northwest Leadership Team illuminated the tree, students and employees shared their connections and memories associated with Christian, Kwanzaa, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim traditions. The individuals then placed symbols of their religious cultures on the tree as expressions of their identities.

“The lighting of this tree is a tradition that has come to represent how we celebrate the holiday season as a Bearcat community,” Green said. “It is a tradition that has grown to mean more than just one holiday or one religion but rather to represent a season of kinship, fellowship and generosity amongst all folks. It is another representation of Northwest culture and a symbol of Northwest greatness.

Dr. Justin Mallett, Northwest’s assistant vice president of diversity and inclusion, noted a star placed at the top of the tree holds value among all cultures.

“For many of us, we put this star at the top of our Christmas tree to symbolize brightness and hope and prosperity for the upcoming year, but what does the star symbolize across other religions?” Mallet said. “The star symbolizes great multitude, heavenly favor, wisdom, guidance, watchers and aspirations. The star symbolizes high hopes and ideals, a hope for good fortune, and to reach above oneself. In some religions, the star is identified with angels, and in others the star is associated with the eyes and windows of heavenly things. The star provides guidance that shows the right path to travel in life and is a symbol of enlightenment and victory of good over evil.”

Members of Northwest's Madraliers chamber choir pose for a photo with “Santa Bobby Bearcat.”

The tree lighting ceremony also featured vocal music selections performed by the Madraliers. Additionally, “Santa Bobby Bearcat” was on hand to greet guests and pose for photos in the J.W. Jones Student Union Living Room where attendees enjoyed refreshments and music performed by the Horace Mann Laboratory School choir.

In conjunction with the tree lighting, the community is encouraged to donate to the Bearcat Food Pantry. Donors may place items in collection bins inside the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union through Thursday, Dec. 22. Community members also may find needed items and provide donations to the Food Pantry throughout the year by visiting www.nwmissouri.edu/studentaffairs/foodpantry/.