Purdue Memorial Union will get festive in December

The Purdue Memorial Union will send the holiday season into high gear on Monday, Dec. 4, as the 30-foot-tall Christmas tree arrives in the Great Hall around 12:30 p.m. (Purdue University photo) Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue Memorial Union will send the holiday season into high gear on Monday (Dec. 4) as a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree arrives in the Great Hall around 12:30 p.m.

The tree, a 23-year-old blue spruce, which is 15 feet wide at the bottom of its branches, is being donated by Tim and Angela Phillips. It was purchased as a seedling by Denise Linderer Matthys and planted on what is now the Phillips’ property in 1994. Linderer Matthys’ father, Loren Dale, was a World War II veteran who was employed by Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics as a carpenter. He and his wife, Joyce, were said to have dearly loved Christmas.

The 2017 tree lighting ceremony will be held on Tuesday (Dec. 5) at 11:30 a.m. Beth McCuskey, vice provost for student life, will officially light the Christmas tree for the holiday season as part of the Holidays at the Union celebration. The Great Hall will be filled with the sounds of the season as holiday performances featuring local music groups and student performances are held Dec. 5-6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

Holidays Around the World, organized by the Purdue Student Union Board, returns again this year on Dec. 6 from 7–10 p.m. in the Union North Ballroom. As not all cultures celebrate Christmas, the event allows students and visitors to experience different customs and celebrations from around the world.

A Guess the Lights contest will run from Dec. 5-18. Visitors can try their best to guess how many lights are on the tree, with the top three receiving gifts from local businesses.

Breakfast with Santa will be held Dec. 9 from 8-10:30 a.m. in the Great Hall, South Ballroom, main lounges and Room 118. A meal of French toast sticks, scrambled eggs, sausage links and juice or milk is $4, with coffee and hot chocolate also available for purchase. In addition to a delicious meal provided by Pappy’s Sweet Shop, children can visit with Santa and share story time with Mrs. Claus.

The Christmas tree will be taken down on Dec. 18, so the last day to see it fully decorated is Dec. 17. The tree will be tested daily for compliance with the Indiana fire code. If it does not meet the requirements, then the tree will be removed from the building.  

Writer: Tim Doty, 765-496-2571, doty2@purdue.edu

Source: Angelica McLean, 765-494-8991, mclean5@purdue.edu