Xmas Tree Ceremony

- Join ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., as the University heralds in the Christmas season.

 

WHEN: Nov. 16 (Thursday), at 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: ASU Academic Mall - the Christmas Tree will be located close to North University Drive.

 

By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU

 

Alabama State University will hold one of the River Region's first ceremonies to celebrate the joy and pageantry of the yuletide season as it hosts its annual Campus and Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The tree lighting serves as the official kick-off event for the Turkey Day Classic, which celebrates its 99th season this year. The ceremony will take place on Nov. 16 (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. on the ASU Academic Mall, which is the green-space just off North University Drive. The 30-foot tree will be decorated with lights and special ornaments representing various Hornet Nation academic and extracurricular entities.

In addition to the ceremonial lighting of the ASU Christmas Tree by ASU's 15th President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr., the event will feature Yuletide musical entertainment, participation by students, faculty and staff, and seasonal refreshments for all to enjoy. The event is open to the entire Hornet Nation family, as well as to the general public.

 

The much-anticipated celebration is being held earlier than usual this year, as a special treat for ASU's greatest treasure, its students, explained Shani Crayton, ASU's director of Brand and Marketing and one of the coordinators of the event.

 

"We are hosting this fun and festive event much earlier than in the past because President Ross wants to make sure that it is held while our undergraduate and graduate students are still on campus attending class and can enjoy how wonderful it is to celebrate Christmas 'Hornet-style' at our Alabama State event," Crayton said. "To make the event more representative of ‘O’ Mother Dear,’ we have obtained special clear ornaments that we have given to various University schools and organizations, so they may custom-design them in order to showcase themselves or what they represent at ASU - making our tree even more Hornet-centered."

 

WSFA NEWS ANCHOR HOSTS EVENT WITH PRESIDENT ROSS

Joining President Ross and serving as the master of ceremonies for the event will be WSFA TV 12 news anchor, Rosanna Smith. She started her career at TV 12 News in 2011, first working behind the scenes as a photographer and news content specialist and moving to on-air positions as an assignment reporter and now, as a news anchor.

 

President Ross suggests that all who wish to attend the event get to the venue a bit early so they don't miss any of the Alabama State University seasonal fun as we remember the reason for the season!

 

News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.

 

###ASU###