Christmas on Campus

CHRISTMAS ONCAMPUS 2010:Evolution of a Tradition

CMM 110 Final Report for:Audrey Diestelkamp, Mickey

Shuey, Amy Stevenson, Jim Tompkins and Maddie Wright

CHRISTMAS ON CAMPUS 2010: EvOlUTION Of A TRADITION2

INTRODUCTIONby Mickey Shuey

Each year, over 1000 local children attend The University of Dayton’s annual Christmas on Campus event. December 8th, a day that commemorates the Immaculate Conception, has been the date on which C.O.C. is celebrated by students, alumni, faculty, and area families. With its widespread impact in the city of Dayton, it’s not hard to see why the annual event is so revered.

DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY MICKEY SHUEY

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LARRY BURGESS, ETHAN KLOSTERMAN & MICKEY SHUEY

ANY LOGOS IN THIS REPORT ARE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

ANY OPINIONS HERE-IN ARE THOSE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SMALL GROUP, CLASS, OR UNIVERSITY AS A WHOLE.

CHRISTMAS ON CAMPUS 2010: EvOlUTION Of A TRADITION 3

When Christmas on Campus was founded in 1964, Ellie Kurtz was simply hoping it would provide the University of Dayton community an opportunity to enjoy the Christmas spirit before returning home for winter break. Since the first celebration47 years ago, the tradition of Christmas on Campus has evolved from a candlelight procession to a live Nativity scene (made up of members of the Dayton community) into a celebration of opportunity and happiness for the entire city. Within a few years of its inception, word of the celebration made its way to local families. Soon after, Christmas on Campus changed from a campus-only event a community gathering for anyone who wished to join. After some members of the University of Dayton’s student body learned of the hundreds of children that wouldn’t have an opportunity to celebrate Christmas, or even receive gifts, they looked for a way to help.

Rather than simply inviting children, however, they devised a way to allow students to “adopt” a child for the night. Since the first group of children took partin C.O.C. in the late 1960s, tens of thousands of other children from the Dayton area have been given the opportunity.

Much like the involvement of the city, the activities that children can participate in have grown and expanded. Along with the traditional “Letter to Santa”, the kids can also “Instant Message” Mr. Cringle.

Christmas on Campus is an annual celebration held each December and has been occurring for the past 47 years. The celebration happens on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and started in 1964 when students decided that they wanted to have Christmas together before they went home for their breaks.

The heart of the season remains with UD Alumni, as they hold “Christmas off Campus” events across the United States—even other countries around the globe. Ever since Ellie founded Christmas on Campus nearly half a century ago, the celebration has become a signature event at the University of Dayton. During the Christmas season, the entire campus sparkles with holiday cheer.

C.O.C. is a unique opportunity to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas with the entire University of Dayton community. It is a marquee experience for students, faculty, staff, alumni and families. But above all else, it has been the stepping-stone to hope for thousands of children.

Snow way!Along with the traditional of Christmas, blow-ups are used to give the kids a sense of comfort.

THE HISTORYPart ONEby Audrey Diestelkamp

CHRISTMAS ON CAMPUS 2010: EvOlUTION Of A TRADITION4

Quite a lot of effort and hard work goes into the planning of each year’s events. Many student organizations collaborate, in an effort to put together a wonderful Christmas on Campus. For this reason C.O.C. is able to offer children and families a variety of crafts, games, activities, and performances. The night begins at 5:15 when the University of Dayton students form lines in KU field, awaiting the arrivalof their adopted children from the buses.Once theUDstudentsfind theirappointed child, they continue to take them to the tree dsplay in Humanities Plaza for the Opening Ceremonies, at the end of which the official lightingoccurs. While there, the children--joined by others who are in attendance--are told the story of Jesus’ birth via a reenactment of the nativity. When this is over, a countdown for the grand illumination commences. Upon the lighting of the tree, Santa Claus makes his grand arrival.

EvENTSby Maddie Wright

Part TWO

CHRISTMAS ON CAMPUS 2010: EvOlUTION Of A TRADITION 5

live Reindeer•Tree lighting (Plaza)•Cookie Decorating•Gingerbread Houses•Ornaments•Christmas Cards•Reindeer food•Gingerbread Men•

EVENTS: CONTINUED

face painting•Bracelets•letters to Santa•Planetarium Display•Play Music•Emails to Santa•Haikus•Instant Message Santa•

Ornaments•Christmas Cards•Cardboard Maze•face Painting•Musical Chairs•Barrett Hall: •

Train Display

Many performers come together to put on shows for the Christmas on Campus children. Miami Valley Dance, DCDC2, Dakota Center Drill Team, UD Dance, Celtic Academy of Irish Dance, Jim McCutcheon Guitar, Hands in Harmony, Western Stars, Carols Around the Piano, and Music Department singing all use their artistic abilities to perform for the children. The University of Dayton Bookstore also sponsors a Story Time period. After getting refreshments, and often times being fed at KU Dining Hall courtesy of the UD students, the children are returned to their buses. The night is ended with a 9:00 Celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in the Chapel.

Alpha Epsilon DeltaAmerican Chemical SocietyBeta Beta BetaCAYACCircle K InternationalCMlAGamma Epsilon lambdaHabitat for HumanityHonors ProgramIEEENABAPhi Kappa PsiPRSSASociety of Manufacturing EngineersSpectrumStudent Dietetic Association

Alpha PhiDental Interest GroupSigma Tau Delta The Write PlaceUD AstronomyMusic Therapy ClubBeta Theta PiUkuriACM.

UD DanceRelay for lifeEthosDelta Sigma PiCABUD Waterski TeamTau Betta PiCrossroads Railroad Club

Humanities Science Center Kennedy Union

SPO

NSO

RS

PICTURES ON NEXT PAGE!

CHRISTMAS ON CAMPUS 2010: EvOlUTION Of A TRADITION6

CHRISTMAS ON CAMPUS 2010: EvOlUTION Of A TRADITION 7

THE BUDGETPart THREEby James Tompkins

The budget concerning Christmas on Campus (COC) is an undisclosed item. What the staff did tell our group though is what the budget has to cover. The high dollar item is the busing for the kids. Dayton Public Schools does not have enough money to cover the expense so COC is required to. Other things included in the budget are buying new decorations, the tree, outside contractors such as the fence company and other miscellaneous items that come about. The university does fund some of the money for COC but it is mostly run on donations. The donations can include money, time, or things donated for the night of COC. Information sessions are held late September or early October. Look for informational flyers hungon bulletin boards around campus or email COC at [email protected]. 8 committees all with student advisors, meetings held once a week and required to spend at least 3 hours a week working on COC.

Every year kids go quick so get informed on when and how you can adopt one...One night can make a huge difference for a child.

Since COC is run completely by volunteers, they need a lot of people. Over 80 percent of students will be involved in some way during their four years at UD. That is a staggering number, but it also shows how UD is more than just a school.

Donate items•Decorations•Join a committee•

Checks can be sent to:C/O Christmas on CampusKennedy Union Room 241300 College ParkDayton, Ohio 45469-0620

CHRISTMAS ON CAMPUS 2010: EvOlUTION Of A TRADITION8

MARKETINGby Amy Stevenson

Part fOUR

Christmas on Campus is something that most students here at the University of Dayton want to be a part of. This event always takes place on the feast of the Immaculate Conception which is December 8th. Every year an average of three thousand students volunteer to help out on this busy day. The students can either work at a particular craft table or activity, or “adopt” a child to take around campus to participate in the different events going on. The students that volunteer are just average students but typically the activities are run by organizations such as committees, sports teams, sororities and fraternities. The University of Dayton decorates and sets up the campus for children at local inner city schools. One thousand, two hundred children is the maximum number of children that may attend Christmas on Campus. This is the maximum number of children because of the insurance liability and the University of Dayton does not want to be held responsible for a larger number. The Christmas on Campus event has a Facebook page that the students can join to support and look up information about this event. Other advertising for this event include flyers locatedaround campus, and a t-shirt sale that is held every year where students can buy a Christmas on Campus t-shirt for fifteen dollars on the day thatkicksoffthecelebration.Theprofitmadefromthist-shirt sale goes to the event activities. This year theChristmas onCampus committee had the firstannual Reindeer Relay which was a fundraiser to raise more money for the event. Christmas on Campus is a night that brings the community of Dayton together in joy of Christmas spirits.

1,200 children is the maximum number of participants each year

3,000 University of Dayton students, on average, volunteer to either “adopt” a child or set up and help with an activity.

900 children from the Dayton community are “adopted” by students each year.

40 sponsors were involved in funding the 2010 installment of Christmas on Campus.

BY THENUMBERS

CHRISTMAS ON CAMPUS 2010: EvOlUTION Of A TRADITION 9

WHAT’S NEXT?Part fIvEby Mickey Shuey

Because of the traditions connected to Christmas on Campus, it is difficult to say what may come next. The organization will look to continue to expand both in activities and community involvement.

Since its inception 47 years ago, UD’s Christmas on campus has grown far beyond what anyone could’ve ever imagined early on. Thanks to the generosity of students, faculty and the Dayton community, C.O.C. has become one of the nation’s largest holiday traditions.

CHRISTMAS ON CAMPUS 2010: EvOlUTION Of A TRADITION10

The nation’s oldest collegiate holiday tradition...right in your backyard. Christmas on Campus celebrates 47 years of pure magic and good will in the city of Dayton.

C/O Christmas on CampusKennedy Union Room 241300 College ParkDayton, Ohio 45469-0620