William Jewell College’s annual Lighting of the Quad – an event where students and alumni come together to celebrate the holiday season and turn on all the Christmas lights on-campus – was postponed due to Jewell entering Operation Safe Campus threat level C Nov. 6. Originally scheduled for Nov. 6, the Lighting of the Quad has now been rescheduled for Nov. 13.
This year’s Lighting of the Quad has been adapted to be COVID-19 friendly. The event will take place entirely outdoors – usually, everyone is invited to a reception in the Union following the Lighting. The event is open to only students where traditionally it is open to all guests of the College and the entire community. Further, the event will be absent of activities that would require the removal of a mask or increase the likelihood of transmission, such as everyone singing carols, blowing out individual candles or having cookies and hot chocolate.
Though the Lighting of the Quad will be different this year, it will also come with new additions. There will be a parade preceding the Lighting of the Quad composed of Jewell students representing different activities. Representatives from different sports teams and Jewell’s spirit squad will take part in the parade.
The parade will also feature appearances by beloved members of the Jewell community such as Billy J and Santa, who will be played by a familiar face at the College. Student Senate elected Kiki Strecker, director of dining services, to be the Grand Marshal of the parade and flip the switch to turn on the lights.
The parade will start at Mathes Hall and finish on the Quad. There will be a small instrumental ensemble playing carols on the Quad. Students will be able to get glow sticks to have during the parade, and after the Lighting of the Quad has commenced, there will be goodie bags to take home.