Northwest celebrates holiday season with annual tree-lighting

The historic Thomas Gaunt House on the Northwest campus lights the crowd gathered for the annual President’s Tree Lighting. (Photo by Lilly Cook/Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest Missouri State University welcomed the holiday season Thursday night with its annual President’s Tree Lighting outside the historic Thomas Gaunt House.

A crowd of Northwest community members gathered around the tree and counted down from five, cueing Bobby Bearcat and Northwest first lady Jill Tatum to pull a level, and the tree was illuminated.  

“For many of us, Christmas is a season of profound meaning, and for us, it’s time to celebrate family, friends and the joy of coming together as a community,” Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum told attendees. “In the Tatum house, the Christmas season begins with decorating, and as you can see with the Gaunt House, we take decorating very seriously. Our home comes alive with lights and ornaments and, of course, Christmas trees – lots of Christmas trees. So the tree tonight represents more than just decorations. It holds memories and stories of Christmases past.”

The Northwest community gathered Thursday night for the annual President’s Tree Lighting outside the Thomas Gaunt House. (Photo by Lilly Cook/Northwest Missouri State University)

Chloe DeVries, a senior biochemistry major from Red Oak, Iowa, who is Northwest’s Student Senate president, echoed Tatum’s sentiments during her remarks. DeVries said she looks forward to the tree-lighting ceremony each year.

“Traditions like these are what make Northwest not just an institution, but a home for its students,” she said. “This season is a time to celebrate our traditions, whether it’s lighting candles, decorating trees, preparing favorite meals or gathering with loved ones, and it’s a time to honor our values that unite us – kindness, gratitude, generosity and love.”

DeVries added, “But please remember that the holidays mean different things to different people. For some, it’s a season of joy and togetherness. For others, it may be a time of reflection or mixed emotions. That’s why it’s so important to lead into this season with compassion and care. Let’s take this time to slow down, be present and truly savor the little joys around us.”

This year’s ceremony also included renditions of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” sung by the Horace Mann Laboratory School choir, and “Silent Night,” sung by the Madraliers. Trent Crawford, pastor at the Christian Campus House, offered scripture and prayer.

The Gaunt House, located on Fourth Street at the south edge of the University campus, was built during the 1870s and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It has served as a residence for Northwest presidents since the institution’s founding in 1905.