The Carol of the Lights is one of the most important and exciting traditions at Texas Tech University. Students, faculty, and the community come together in the thousands to stand in awe over 25,000 lights illuminating the central part of campus. This celebration marks the beginning of Christmas season through the festivities of lights, the University Combined Choirs singing carols, and the festive decorations around campus.
Carol of the Lights Tree!
This tradition started in 1959 when Harold Hinn came up with the idea and provided the funds to cover the science quadrangle and the administration building with lights. Unfortunately students were away on Christmas break and did not see the display. The next year the Residence Hall Association created the Christmas Sing, which is now known as the Carol of Lights. Today, the Carol of Lights is one of Texas Tech’s favorite traditions.
The lit up Sciences Building.
As an out of state student, I understand holiday homesickness. For me, Carol of the Lights reminds me why I chose Texas Tech. This ceremony displays the community aspect of Lubbock, allows you to enjoy festive celebration with your friends, and have a ton of fun on a cold winter night. It represents transition of community.
The Lubbock community is heavily involved at Texas Tech; while the student population is 30,000, the students – and the city itself – quickly become family. Therefore, this tradition marks a larger family coming together to celebrate and enjoy the new season. For me, I got to experience Carol of the Lights this last week with some of my best friends from class, my fraternity, and my girlfriend. While I am extremely close with my family at home, I have a new Texas Tech family and I loved celebrating Carol of the Lights with them. Carol of the Lights is just one tradition at Texas Tech that represents family. Whether it is the football games, study groups in the library, extracurricular groups, or playing sports at the Rec this campus quickly becomes home: A home that I love to celebrate with in the Christmas season.
Carol of the Lights Video: http://today.ttu.edu/2008/11/behind-the-carol-of-lights/
- Michael Bates
