December 2, 2005

Purdue Student Union Board to sponsor Holidays at the Union

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue will usher in the holiday season beginning at noon Monday (Dec. 5) when the freshly cut tree arrives at the Great Hall in Purdue Memorial Union.

"Bringing the tree into the Union is a fun event that helps put the entire campus into the holiday spirit," said Margie Stoltz, program adviser at Purdue Memorial Union. "The tradition of having a large tree in the Union has been a part of Purdue's holiday celebration since the 1930s. Beginning in 1975, all the Great Hall trees have been donated by members of the community.

"The tree is a great way for all the Purdue and Lafayette/West Lafayette community to come together."

Dean and Teresa Jones of West Lafayette are donating this year's tree, a 30-foot Norwegian spruce, in memory of their son, Jason Taylor Jones. Dean Jones works as a heavy equipment operator and crew chief in the gravel pit operation for Purdue Grounds.

At 7 p.m. Monday, members of Purdue Student Union Board will gather to decorate the tree.

Beginning Tuesday, musical performances will bring sounds of the season to the Great Hall every weekday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Performances include Jeris Eikenberry; Lafayette Christian School's fifth- and sixth-grade choir; the Purduettes; Marla’s Music & Trinity United Methodist Choirs; Purdue Bells; Delphi High School Entertainers; Kathy McGraw; Rossville High School; Mintonye Music Masters; Burnett Creek Elementary; Happy Hollow Elementary; Central Catholic High School Choir; and City Limits.

Holidays Around the World from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday will recognize some of the diverse population that makes up Purdue with international holiday displays by student organizations in Room 118 of the Union.

The events will conclude Saturday with a big celebration.

One holiday favorite, Breakfast with Santa, will be from 8-10 a.m. Saturday on the Union ground floor across from Union Market. Purdue and members of the Lafayette community will get a chance to visit with Santa Claus and enjoy a breakfast of pancakes, sausage and a drink for $1.99. Children in attendance will receive candy canes, balloons and holiday gifts from Santa and his elves. Last year, more than 200 children attended the event.

Along with the musical performances throughout the day, visitors to the Union will get a chance to decorate crafts, including snowmen, felt stockings and bead ornaments, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Union Great Hall.

All events are free and open to the public.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Margie Stoltz, (765) 494-8907, mcstoltz@purdue.edu

Kristen Gohlke, PSUB director of traditional events, (765) 494-8976, psub-traditional@purdue.edu

Lindsey Thrine, PSUB Breakfast with Santa project leader, (765) 494-8976, lthrine@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Members of the media are welcome to cover the cutting and installation of the Union's tree. The tree will be cut down from 7:30-8 a.m. at 4533 Erwin Road, West Lafayette. It will be brought into the Union at noon.

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