President's Blog: From the Heart

By Eric F. Spina

“There’s nothing like Christmas on Campus anywhere in the world.”

That’s not an overblown statement from Christmas on Campus co-coordinator Gabby Backus ‘25. For me — and tens of thousands of Flyers over six decades — this is a night of pure joy and selfless giving.

Each year on or near the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, UD students treat their “buddies” — first and second graders from the Dayton Public Schools — to a magical night on a campus transformed into a winter wonderland. At the end of the evening, students serve as Eucharistic ministers and lectors at a Mass that draws hundreds. The evening hits all of our Marianist values — community, service, faith.

So, I ask: Is there any other longstanding campus tradition like Christmas on Campus not just in the country, but across the globe?

Last year’s co-coordinators, Fiona Dusenberry ‘24 and Chloe Chelovitz ‘24, didn’t think so, either. During their senior year, they worked with producer/writer Pat Enright and a team of student videographers at Flyer Media to create a 12-minute documentary that captures the enduring charm of this UD signature event. It’s currently available on YouTube and is airing on Flyer TV as excitement builds for this year’s Dec. 6 festivities.

Narrated by communication major Sean Vitales ‘26, the heartwarming documentary shows young children stepping off school buses and meeting their UD buddies, most for the first time. With much delight, a child ceremoniously lights an enormous Christmas tree in the Humanities Plaza before a crowd of thousands. As he has for more than 30 years, Jim Farrelly, English professor emeritus, narrates a live Nativity, bringing the story of Christ’s birth to life. The air is filled with the voices of a children’s choir. Elsewhere on campus, children sit on Santa’s lap, make crafts, open gifts from their buddies, and enjoy a petting zoo and outdoor carnival games.

The film offers a glimpse into what’s in store this year, though the event promises to be even larger. The involvement of a record number of student clubs and organizations means crafts and activities will spill into Miriam Hall, as well as the Science and Humanities centers, according to co-coordinator, Claire Ogburn ‘25, now in her third year of involvement.

Claire offers a preview of this year’s extravaganza, by the numbers:

• 1,020 elementary school children paired with 1,020 UD student buddies
• 250-300 pizzas
• 80 student clubs and organizations hosting activity and craft rooms
• 28 students leading eight committees that span the gamut from decorations to entertainment
• 1 reindeer (though the petting zoo also includes goats and a zebu)
• Countless moments of joy

“It’s the giving season and being able to see first hand how many people come together to volunteer their time and efforts for the joy of others is so profound to me and speaks to UD’s dedication to upholding traditions and giving back to the community,” Claire said. “It’s all about bringing joy.”

Amen. There’s nothing like Christmas on Campus anywhere in the world.