NEWS-CATEGORY: CAMPUS NEWS Community Invited to Attend Gardner-Webb’s Annual Festival of Lights Celebration BY OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS ON NOVEMBER 17, 2021 Event Returns to Campus with Live Performances, Luminarias and Lighting of the Tree BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The community is invited to begin the celebration of the Christmas season at Gardner-Webb University’s Festival of Lights, which returns to a live event this year. A beloved Christmas tradition since 1984, the performances and festivities will be held on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in Dover Theatre. The program will include all the favorite activities that area families have enjoyed in the past—reading of the Christmas story, singing carols, and lighting luminarias and the Christmas tree. “I’m most looking forward to coming together to officially usher in the Christmas season on our campus,” observed Tracy Jessup, vice president of Christian Life and Service and senior minister to the University. “This event is the University’s gift to the community, and it is always such a meaningful celebration for everyone who attends.” Last year’s Festival of Lights was a virtual program featuring Gardner-Webb students. Dr. Josh Cheney, assistant professor of music, who coordinated the music for last year’s virtual celebration, is also looking forward to experiencing the event with an audience. “Personally, I am most looking forward to my first in-person Festival of Lights,” he noted. “For musicians, Advent is a season where we have an incredible opportunity to share our gifts with our community. Here at Gardner-Webb, Festival of Lights is a wonderful tradition that we are honored to uphold. I hope that our work to prepare this event will enliven every person who comes in the door that night.” Gardner-Webb’s President Dr. William Downs will read the account of Jesus’ birth from the Bible, and music will be presented by several groups, including: Brass Choir. Concert Choir. Figaro Ensemble. Handbell Ensemble. Men’s Chorale. Old Time Ensemble. Treble Chorale. The music will be a mix of hymns for choir and audience, carol arrangements, original compositions by students and faculty, and a few fun secular pieces. After the program, attendees will walk from Dover Theatre on a luminaria-lighted path to the front of Tucker Student Center for the lighting of the campus Christmas tree. Cheney said the traditions and the symbols point to the real reason for the celebration. “To me, the Festival of Lights is an opportunity to share the joy of this special season and to acknowledge the true Light, Jesus Christ, sent from God to be the Savior of the world,” Cheney asserted. “Advent is a season of anticipation. Come share with us the excitement of anticipating the birth of the Son of God!” Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 days prior to the event. Please call (704) 406-2155 or email servicerequests@gardner-webb.edu with your request. Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to six professional schools, 14 academic departments, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu. News Sidebar GOT A STORY? We welcome your suggestions and feedback, contact: Noel T. Manning, II Associate VP for Communications and Marketing, (704) 406-4631 ntmanning@gardner-webb.edu Jackie Bridges Assistant Director of University Communications, (704) 406-2542 jbridges9@gardner-webb.edu RECENT NEWS Thankful for our Many Blessings November 17, 2021 November 2021: Saluting Our Veterans November 3, 2021 Community Update: It’s time to Beat the Camels October 6, 2021 Branch out: Go Worldwide at Gardner-Webb October 6, 2021 Putting Your Faith into Action October 6, 2021 NEWS CATEGORIES NEWS CATEGORIES Select Category Campus Conversations (4) Dawg Blawg (9) Health (51) Advisory (50) Support and Relief Efforts (1) Holidays (30) Advent (28) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (1) Veteran’s Day (1) Mental Health (2) President’s Blog (20) President’s Remarks (3) Recognition (20) Tips (7) Transitions Guide (5) Uncategorized (3) Updates (2) NEWS ARCHIVES NEWS ARCHIVES Select Month November 2021 (2) October 2021 (3) September 2021 (6) August 2021 (3) July 2021 (6) April 2021 (2) March 2021 (4) February 2021 (4) January 2021 (6) December 2020 (5) November 2020 (41) October 2020 (5) September 2020 (5) August 2020 (8) July 2020 (4) June 2020 (4) May 2020 (1) April 2020 (5) March 2020 (6) February 2020 (1) January 2020 (2) December 2019 (1) November 2019 (6) October 2019 (3) September 2019 (3) August 2019 (3) July 2019 (1) PREVIOUS NEWS ARTICLE Gardner-Webb’s November Webb Connections Honors Military and Their Families OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS | NOVEMBER 12, 2021 NEXT NEWS ARTICLE GWU College of Education Doctoral Candidate Nominated by Students for Golden Apple Award OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS | NOVEMBER 19, 2021 Related News See All News NEWS ARTICLE GWU Orchestra Concert Features Premiere of Composition Written by Junior Caleb Etchison Program Also Includes Crest High School Chamber Orchestra and Features Solos by Two Students and Professor The fall concert by the Gardner-Webb University Orchestra will feature the premiere of a […] OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS | NOVEMBER 19, 2021 NEWS ARTICLE GWU Students Travel to Cataloochee Valley to Study Behavior of Elk Jay Zimmer’s Animal Physiology Class Photographs Herd Rising from Bedding Ground By Sarianna Miranda-Rosado, ’24, Intern for Communications BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The fall of the year is one of best times […] OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS | NOVEMBER 19, 2021 NEWS ARTICLE GWU College of Education Doctoral Candidate Nominated by Students for Golden Apple Award Stacy Fuentes, ‘22, Recognized for Fun Teaching Methods and Listening Ear A doctoral candidate in the Gardner-Webb University College of Education was recently recognized by her students for making complicated […] OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS | NOVEMBER 19, 2021 Give Request Apply 110 South Main Street P.O. Box 997 Boiling Springs, NC 28017 (704) 406-4000 MAIN About Academics Admissions and Aid Resources Student Life University Police UTILITY Athletics Accessibility Title IX Compliance Directions Directory Job Openings Contact Us I Am ... Media & Events Apply Info Give Contact Webmaster © 2021 Gardner-Webb University’s publications, including, but not limited to, its catalogs, handbooks, policies, procedures, website, guidelines, communications, and social media posts do not constitute a contractual agreement between the University and any person or entity. The University reserves the right to unilaterally modify all such publications and/or modify its operating practices without prior notice.