On a warm Tuesday night, the words to “Let It Snow” drifted through campus at USC’s 59th annual tree lighting ceremony.
The unusually warm weather wasn’t the only difference from last year’s ceremony: The tree was moved from the historic Horseshoe to Davis Field, in between Russell House and the Thomas Cooper Library.
This year’s tree was a tribute to the university’s sustainability push, because it will be a permanent addition, “instead of buying a new tree, planting it, digging it up and throwing it in a landfill,” USC President Harris Pastides said.
The annual ceremony, orchestrated by the Carolina Service Council, honored students and organizations that contributed to USC’s service efforts. Thanks to the efforts of USC volunteers, more than 1,500 veterans, 50 families and many children will receive donations.
After addresses from Student Body President Chase Mizzell and Pastides, and a “thank you” to volunteers from Maj. Roger Coulson of the Salvation Army, it was time to light the tree. The crowd counted down from five, and Cocky did the honors.
Though the Eastern Red Cedar is small now, the tree is expected to grow to between 40 and 50 feet.
“It’s not much to look at now,” Pastides said. “But we look forward to seeing it grow.”