The Hands That Make the Holidays Bright
A small facilities crew spends weeks of early mornings and cold, wind-filled afternoons conducting the long, careful process of transforming the plain evergreen. Photo by Caitlin Bombassei
Every December, the Marist University Christmas tree glows bright, adding cheer to the long winters of Poughkeepsie. Though instantly recognizable to anyone who has spent a winter at Marist, few realize just how much goes into the beloved cheerful display.
While most people notice the tree only once it bursts into light, the tradition begins in October, over a month before. A small facilities crew spends weeks of early mornings and cold, wind-filled afternoons conducting the long, careful process of transforming the plain evergreen into one of the most striking winter sights in the Hudson Valley.
To Andrea Conner, vice president of Student Affairs, whose team helps bring the event to life, the tireless work symbolizes something much deeper in the Marist community.
“There are so many people at Marist who do quiet, dedicated work to improve the student experience without expectation of accolades,” she said. “Marist staff are filled with devotion to the students and pride in their work.”
Without a doubt, preparing for the annual tree lighting demands dedication. The tree proudly boasts over 77,000 lights, surpassing the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, yet it is lit by a miniature team in comparison.
Each year, the crew examines every bulb, stretches out coils of wire, and plans the layout so the tree looks balanced from all sides. The tree's height demands specialized equipment, and the winds sweeping in from the river require every connection to be triple-checked in anticipation of the big night. In Conner’s words, their work is both “difficult” and “potentially monotonous,” yet its impact is far from that.
The ceremony everyone cherishes today grew from small student gatherings held decades ago and has become one of Marist’s most recognizable winter traditions. Each November, students, families, alumni and staff are drawn from the Marist halls by music, warmth and the excitement of seeing the tree blaze to life.
Last year was Conner's first year at the lighting; she recalled with vivid clarity the pride she felt when she announced the crew's names, and an appreciative murmur followed from the crowd. Moments like those speak to the event's true impact and spirit.
As the crowd gathers each year and families file in throughout the season for pictures beneath the tree, most people see only the final glow. Yet, for the facilities team, those moments represent weeks of early mornings and meticulous routine.
By the time the ceremony commences, the crew has spent hundreds of hours inspecting the 77,000 bulbs, tightening each strand, and bracing against the wind as they rose at dawn each morning. Conner believes their efforts represent something much more than a holiday celebration.
“The crew that lights this tree reflects the dedication and commitment of the many staff across campus who devote time and energy to bring joy, build community, and help our students feel a sense of connection with something bigger at Marist,” said Conner.
A small facilities crew putting lights on the tree. Photo by Caitlin Bombassei
So, this year, when the countdown reaches zero and the lights surge across the branches, as weeks of careful work transform into a single moment, may we be reminded that the brilliance of the tree comes not only from its thousands of lights, but from the care and devotion of the people who make it shine for everyone who calls Marist home.
Conner said, “No matter what holidays we celebrate or what perspectives we bring, we all belong at Marist and can appreciate a little moment of joy together as a community.”