Liberty University decks the halls for the winter holiday season

Starting in the middle of October, students noticed an unusual bit of holiday cheer around the campus grounds: red-ribboned wreaths, festive garlands and, of course, the makings of a giant Christmas tree. ‘Tis the season to deck the halls, and Liberty University’s maintenance staff has taken that message to heart.

Decorating Liberty’s campus for Christmas didn’t happen overnight, and it isn’t as simple as just hanging up the occasional garland. The maintenance staff and Student Activities began to cooperatively plan the campus’ Christmas decorations during June, determining what decorations needed to be purchased and mapping out where they would go. The installation of the Christmas decorations officially begins mid-October and takes approximately three-and-a-half weeks to complete.

When the maintenance team is ready to start installing the exterior decorations, they move trailers containing the decorations onto the main campus, including the massive boxes that contain the academic lawn’s giant Christmas tree. As jarring as it can be to see a Christmas tree before October ends, Dee Smith, the maintenance manager at Liberty University, said it’s necessary to begin preparations early since the tree takes the most time and effort to install. 

“We have approximately 10 maintenance technicians working on the (installation),” Smith said. “We have to reserve lifts, Bee Line Towing moves the (trailers) (and) we schedule the install with (university) events as well. When there are special events happening on the lawn, we move the boxes that store the items off the lawn with a lift and then move them back after the event is over.” 

Liberty’s maintenance team and Student Activities’ role in the process ensures that the decorating does not interfere with students’ daily lives or extracurricular activities. From June to October, all of the planning and work to decorate the campus grounds for Christmas takes approximately 2,000 hours –– but all the work is worth it when the campus lights up mid-November during Liberty’s annual lighting ceremony. 

“The best part is how beautiful (the campus) looks after the decorations are lit and (to see) the excitement that shows on the (students’ faces),” Smith said. “Most are very excited to see all of the beauty that comes with the decorations.”

The decorations will remain in place through the holiday season.

Gift is a feature reporter for the Liberty Champion