For the first time in decades, lights shown on a Christmas tree in the Ubben Quadrangle across from the Union Building.
Over 100 students, faculty and community members joined the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, the Catholic Students Association, Worldwide Discipleship Association and Center for Spiritual Life for the event on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
"The tree was a gift to the University and when I heard that was happening, I called the President's office and asked if they'd like to have a tree lighting and if they would like me to coordinate that. They came back with a, 'Yes,'" said Kate Smanik, director of the Center for Spiritual Life.
Smanik then began gathering students and campus ministry leaders together in an effort to publicize the event to the wider community and put into action.
Although there was "a lot of fear that people would object, ultimately no one did because we celebrate all kinds of religious expression on this campus, not just Christianity," Smanik said.
Not only did no one object, but students of various religions attended the event. President of Hillel, senior Mark Weiss, spoke at the beginning of the event, as Wednesday night was also the eighth night of Hanukah.
"I understand that [Christmas] is such a sacred holiday and I'm so happy to be here sharing it with you ... I just wanted to say how lucky we all are to have freedom of religious expression, it's something that so many of us take for granted," said Weiss.
Hillel also provided latkes, cooked by Bon Appetit, along with hot chocolate and warm apple cider provided by the Center for Spiritual Life.
Since this was a Christian based celebratory event, University Chaplain PT Wilson gave a short speech and said a prayer before the lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree.
"This is the first time in decades that DePauw University as a community is having a Christmas tree and the lighting of a Christmas tree, whereas many of us have attempted to have those doors opened," said Wilson.
Since DePauw was founded by Methodists and has a Methodist church on campus, many community members and students were filled with joy for the lighting of this Christmas tree.
Italian students sang Christmas songs as their final project during the introduction to the event. Other InterVarsity members continued the caroling during the event with songs such as "Silent Night" and "The First Noel." Attendees were encouraged to sing along.
A party held after the event featured Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and several activities including an Ugly Christmas Sweater contest.