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Christmas on the Hill 2009: Decorating Night Fireside Chat

The Christmas Decorating Fireside Chat, co-sponsored by the alumni relations and student activities offices, kicked off  a week of Christmas festivities with a retrospective of decorating night stories, lore, and legend by alumnae spanning the ’50s through 2004.

The December 1 evening event drew more than 25 students, who enjoyed a fare share of hearty laughs as they heard about the use of “borrowed” vehicles, interestingly obtained elements for decoration displays, and interaction with a peace officer. The highlight of the Chat was a sampling of photos shared by Margaret Moran ’67 of the December 1966 decorations created and staged by her class in the Main Lobby and along what was then known as the Administration Corridor [front corridor of Fournier Hall]. She reminded the students that Christmas Decorations was a tradition originally carried out by the senior class but, in the mid-’70s, transitioned to an activity involving all classes and additional locations across the College.

Alumnae sharing memories of Christmas Decorating Night, the College's oldest continuous tradition: (l-r, standing) Margaret Moran '67; Sheila Kennedy, SSJ, Ph.D. '76; Kathy O'Boyle '84, '97 SGS; Maria Fella Cain '84; alumni relations director Patricia Canning '70; Regina Maxwell Schwille '65; Maryanne L. Walsh '98, 02 SGS; Ellen (Sperky) Whiteside Byrne '56; (first row): Joanne Fink '76