Thirty years ago, a tradition began at Otterbein when Kenny Goble, a carpenter in Service Operation and Maintenance, hung a large evergreen wreath on Towers Hall. This year, Goble celebrated the 30^th anniversary of the tradition by once again climbing the ladder to hang the wreath that ushers in the holiday season on campus. 

Otterbein itself is a tradition for Goble’s family. His uncle and great-uncle also worked at the University. “For a short time, we were all working here together,” he recalled. “I’ve been here for 30 years, but at least one member of my family has worked here for probably 50 for 60 years.” 

This year, on an unseasonably warm Thursday in November, Goble and his coworkers were in good spirits as they decorated the campus for students to enjoy for a few weeks before they head home for winter break.  

Here are a couple of events students can check out before they leave campus: 

Concert Choir Holiday Kick-off Concert 
Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m. 
Westerville Community United Church of the Christ, 770 County Line Road 

The Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Gayle Walker, will preview their tour to the Baltic countries at their annual Holiday Concert. The concert will highlight music the choir will sing on their Dec. 11-20 tour of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The program will feature works by Baltic composers Kristina Vasiliauskaite and Margrit Kits, alongside works for the season by Trond Kverno and Malcom Sargent, and American favorites by Moses Hogan and Saro Lynch-Tomason. The concert is free and open to the public. 

Otterbein Tree Lighting and Holiday Feast
Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m. 
Towers Lawn  

Join us for the 61st Annual Otterbein Tree Lighting followed by the holiday feast in the Campus Center. Featured at the tree lighting will be the Towers Brass and Ottertuned along with a holiday message and the display of the annual commemorative ornament. Guests to the holiday feast can pay at the Cardinal’s Nest: $17 for general, $7 for ages 7-12, and free for age 6 or younger. Dinner is included in the student meal plan.  

The Holiday spirit continues at 8 p.m. when the Westerville Symphony presents  

“The Sounds of the Season” in Cowan Hall. The performance is free for students, faculty and staff with a Cardinal Card! Tickets are also available for purchase at the box office.