Hamilton College celebrated its third annual Lighting of Our Village ceremony, organized by Student Activities, on the evening of Nov. 30 near the Sadove Student Center. Students celebrated what light means to different cultural and faith traditions and its value as a symbol of hope. Student event organizer Chloé Maldonado ’23 said, “we get together as a community and talk about light in terms of culture and tradition, and we bring out as many clubs and organizations that want to come and speak.”

The line of students awaiting complementary coffee mugs, gloves, and raffle tickets stretched from the doors of Sadove to the other side of the large tree opposite the building. Inside Sadove, students enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies, homemade apple cider and other activities like appreciation card writing and polaroid photography.

The main portion of the event included thoughts and remarks from various student organizations on the role of light in various faith and cultural traditions. Outside Sadove, firepits blazed, and students with sparklers and hot chocolates first heard from the Skenandoah Kirkland Initiative, which offered a land acknowledgment. After, President David Wippman and Interim Dean of Students Nancy Thompson remarked on the significance of the event. “We wanted to brighten things up. Light is an important metaphor for colleges and universities,” said Wippman. As winter’s chill and its early sunsets descend on campus, Thompson asked students to “be the light, and brighten someone’s day,” especially as students face final examinations in the coming weeks.

The Black and Latinx Student Union (BLSU) spoke on the significance and origins of Kwanzaa and the meaning of festivals’ associated colors, red, black and green. The All Beliefs Union (ABU) offered remarks on the Christmas tradition. The South Asian branch of the Asian Student Union (SASA) discussed the Diwali tradition. Members of Hillel, including Rachel O’Brien ’24 and Bruce Leight ’25, lit the menorah that stands on Martins Way in front of Sadove, and sang the three blessings, as well as other songs.

At around 7:30 p.m., Student Activities turned on the lights adorning trees, benches and light posts in the Beinecke Student Village. Lucy Zullo ’25 said of the event, “it’s really exciting, and it looks really nice.” Duelly Noted and Buffers sang

Carissima

, followed by seasonal songs. The arrival of a Crepe Truck, which remained late into the evening, capped off the event. “It’s getting darker during the day, but having these ceremonies reminds us of unity on this campus,” said James Gallagher ’24.