Cheers to 60 years

Talking to Chloe Chelovitz ’24 and Fiona Dusenberry ’24  is like meeting a couple of elves from the North Pole. It doesn’t matter the time of year. “We are always thinking about Christmas,” said Chelovitz. 

This merry pair were the co-coordinators for Christmas on Campus, an annual Flyer tradition that celebrated its 60th anniversary this year.

In 1963, UD students wanted a way to enjoy Christmas before returning home for break, and Christmas on Campus was born. That first celebration was simple — students, faculty and staff joining together for a candlelight procession to a live Nativity.

This year’s event, themed A Christmas on Campus Story: Bringing Cheer for 60 Years, evoked a vintage 1960s Christmas vibe paying homage to the event’s history and alumni who have been a part of it. Many alumni who acted as past Christmas on Campus organizers were invited back this year to join in the festivities.

“We want them to feel the nostalgia,” said Dusenberry of the invitation.

Christmas on Campus’ history will be captured in a special documentary being created for the 60th anniversary by Flyer Media’s media production students.

“Most people don’t understand the amount of work involved in planning Christmas on Campus, and the documentary [will give] a behind-the-scenes look,” said Chelovitz. 

The event welcomed more than 1,200 buddy pairs who spent the evening decorating cookies, creating Christmas crafts and making slime at festive stations sponsored by student organizations.

“The magic of Christmas fades the older you get, and it’s nice to get the chance to be a kid again and share the magic of Christmas,” said Dusenberry.