The Tree of Light tradition at Sam Houston State University began on Dec. 21, 1921, with an old oak tree in the Evans Complex plaza. University patrons strung lights and various other decorations as a way to celebrate the upcoming holiday.
“Most other trees on campus shed their leaves when the cold frosts of winter come, and their naked branches now stretch cheerlessly and bare toward the winter sky,” said former university president Harry F. Estill in 1938. “This tree, defying the storms of winter, steadfastly and bravely maintains its beauty throughout the year- a lesson of unwavering courage in the face of discouragement, of cheerfulness that never frowns.”
This oak tree was used for the ceremony until 1966, when visibility of the Evans Complex courtyard was obstructed across the university after the music and graphics arts buildings were constructed.
To remedy this, an evergreen cedar tree was planted in front of Old Main. This relocation did not last long, however, as tragedy struck. On Feb. 12, 1982, a fire destroyed the dining hall, taking the evergreen with it.
SHSU did not falter, though, as they planted a new tree in a big planter where the bell tower now resides. After the bell tower was built in 2004, the ceremony was moved into the Frank Parker Plaza.
During the 2005 holiday season, the university introduced a 42-foot artificial tree, adorned with lights and a large gold star at its top for preservation purposes. This is the tree we see today.
As the tree has grown over the years, so has the celebration.
“We are still amazed at support and turnout we receive for this program,” former Assistant Director of Student Activities, Brandon Cooper, told Emily Binetti in 2017, adding, “It just grows every year.”
Campus Activities and Involvement Program Specialist Evangelina Covarrubias said one of the biggest changes her department has made, besides prolonging the time the tree is up, is implementing a winter holiday festival before the tree lighting ceremony.
The “Happy Holidays” festival was created a few years ago to celebrate all the different holidays with educational interactive stations throughout December and into the new year, not just the traditional American Christmas.
Last year, the department also introduced a scholarship drawing to accompany this addition. Students would have the opportunity to visit each winter holiday station and write a “blurb” to showcase what they have learned.
“It’s just our way of, you know, thanking them for attending,” said Covarrubias.
Covarrubias said they implemented photo ops, artificial snow, and, this year, a mechanical reindeer for students to enjoy.
She expresses that this Bearkat pride ties hand in hand with the university’s motto, “The Measure of a Life is its Service.”
During the ceremony, there are performances from SHSU’s Orange Pride dance team, Chorale and the homecoming king and queen emcee. Campus Activities and Involvement additionally provides hot chocolate, treats and battery-powered candles to all who attend.
Leading up to the big event, there is a special appearance from university president Dr. Alisa White and her husband, Elliott, before she lights the tree, to commemorate the importance
of the longest-lasting tradition at SHSU.
“We’re here to remind ourselves that not everybody has what we have and even Bearkats who are standing here today, some are struggling and your generosity to help them, to help our community makes a difference,” White told the Tree of Light ceremony crowd on Nov. 18. “We are here to celebrate that spirit of human kindness, compassion, love, and grace that we have for each other.”
Once the tree is lit, different organizations on campus have the opportunity to hang their decorated ornaments on the tree they made in the weeks prior.
Each year, there is also a community service component where students, faculty and staff donate canned goods to their office throughout November to the Good Shepherd Mission in exchange for a Tree of Light t-shirt.
Donations for the drive are accepted in the Campus Activities and Involvement office located in the Lowman Student Center, because not everyone has the opportunity to drive out to the Good Shepherd Mission.
Good Shepherd Mission is an organization that provides food to those in the community who face food insecurity and has been partnering with SHSU since around 2008. This year, the university collected and donated over 2,600 canned goods.
Whenever Covarrubias goes to drop off all donations after the drive ends, her heart fills seeing “people who are just in awe that Sam Houston cares so much to donate as much as we do.”
While the Tree of Light tradition positively impacts the greater Huntsville community, it can benefit students who are spending the holiday season away from their families for the first time.
“I think it’s nice that we give them a place and people to kind of gather with,” Covarrubias said. “I hope that students who, whether they do have someone to celebrate the holidays
with or not, that they feel like they have a family here.”
SHSU junior and first-time attendee Morgan Bowen shares these sentiments, especially in times of stress as finals approach.
“For a lot of incoming freshmen, kids coming in at such a young age, they need a sense of normalcy,” Bowen said, adding, “This is getting towards the end of the semester, so everyone’s stressed out and holidays like Christmas, it’s easy, it’s fun, it’s warm.”
