St. Joe’s University Student Senate hosted its annual Christmas Tree Lighting event Dec. 4 on the lawn outside Villiger Hall and Campion Student Center.

Student Senate President Milton O’Brien ’25 spoke to the crowd of about 100 students gathered around the tree, reminding them about the significance of the ritual. 

“As we prepare to light the tree, let it serve as a symbol of the joy and the kindness that this season inspires,” O’Brien said. “Let the lights remind us of the power we have to bring brightness into each other’s lives, and not just during the season of the holidays, but all year round.”

Ross Radish, J.D., vice president of Student Life and dean of students, spoke at the event and said the Christmas tree is not a symbol of the holiday, but a symbol of community, hope and light. 

“As we come together, surrounded by friends, faculty and students, we’re reminded of the warmth and light that this season brings, both in the world around us and in the hearts of all of us,” Radish said. 

Nicole Palmer ’27, an attendee of the tree lighting, said her favorite part of the event was getting to see her friends and peers she hadn’t seen in a while.

“Just to have everyone together in one room and catch up and say ‘Hi’ to people,” Palmer said. “It’s those little things that I miss a lot about my freshman year.”

The event also included pizza, sandwiches, hot chocolate and games like bingo and trivia, with prizes including a JBL speaker, massage gun, waffle maker and more. A raffle was held at the end of the night, raffling off items like two tickets to a 76ers game, AirPods and an iPad.

Palmer said fun events like this help bring St. Joe’s students together.

“Having events where it’s something as little and fun like free Chick-fil-A, [it’s] just a time and place to have everyone together and just really embrace being a part of St. Joe’s,” said Palmer.