UofSC hosts holiday tree lighting Tuesday
Posted on: November 30, 2015; Updated on: November 30, 2015
By Ore Oluwole, mrassist@mailbox.sc.edu, 803-777-1421
The University of South Carolina community will celebrate the start of the holiday season with the 61st annual tree lighting at 6 p.m. Tuesday (Dec. 1) on the historic Horseshoe.
The event, on the Horseshoe near Sumter Street, is free and open to the public. The university’s female acapella group, the Cocktails, will kick off the event, followed by opening remarks by Matthew Isales, director of Carolina Cares. Speakers at the ceremony include President Harris Pastides, student body President Jonathan Kaufman and Maj. Roger Coulson of the Salvation Army of the Midlands.
Along with opening the holiday season, the tree lighting also celebrates Carolinians who have come together to serve the community.
“This year’s ceremony takes a moment to be grateful and reflect on the importance of service and giving to the community, especially with all that’s happened this year in South Carolina,” said Luis Sierra, leadership coach at the Leadership and Service Center.
The ceremony also will honor the hard work the Carolina Service Council has done for this year’s Carolina Cares holiday donation drive.
The tree lighting ceremony is sponsored by the Student Life’s Leadership and Service Council.
For more information about this year’s tree lighting ceremony, email Luis Sierra at or call 803-777-7130.
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