One of Mercer’s oldest traditions took place Dec. 4, and this year was a little bit different

Caroline Cooper, the Heritage Life Committee Chair on Mercer’s Student Government Association, said that this was the first year that the Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas in the Corridor were on the same night.

“We are trying to make it a tradition for the Tree Lighting to always be combined with Christmas in the Corridor,” Cooper said. “Also we have made an effort to have local businesses included.”

In Cooper’s speech at the ceremony said that the Christmas Tree Lighting was her favorite Mercer tradition. She also said that she is proud to call Mercer her alma mater.

“I love everything about the ceremony, and this one was my favorite one yet,” Cooper said. “I’ve only heard good things from students.”

Callie Sartain, a Mercer junior, attended the event, and she also said it was her favorite ceremony so far.

“My favorite part was the lighting of the candles and singing ‘Silent Night.’ That is something that we do at my church at home on Christmas, and it just emphasizes the fact that I truly feel at home here at Mercer,” Sartain said.

The ceremony took place on the historic Mercer Quad, and the Mercer Singers lead the audience in carols, while Jittery Joe’s and Taste and See provided hot chocolate for students and the Mercer Village merchants gave discounts.