Christmas Celebration Returns to OBU
November 20, 2002
The 65th annual Hanging of the Green celebration at Oklahoma Baptist University will be Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. This year's theme, "Symbols of Hope," will revolve around the Christian Christmas tree decorations, Chrismons. The event will be in the university's Potter Auditorium and is free and open to the public.
Twenty seniors are chosen each year by faculty as honorees for the evening. Chosen according to the criteria of the embodiment of OBU ideals, student honorees will place symbolic Chrismon ornaments on a ceremonial tree during the program.
This year's seniors chosen as Hanging the Green honorees include: (row 1, l to r) Mark Bowlan, a secondary math education major from Shawnee; Kay Rush Jordan, a nursing major from Tecumseh; Kenan Younger, a communication studies major from Corinth, Texas; Melissa McConnell, a psychology major from Oklahoma City; Melissa Joy Cox, a nursing major from Enid; Jeremy Brewer, a church music major from Altus; (row 2) Lee Berryman, a communication studies major from Marlow; Reiner Van Gordon, a communication studies major from Columbus, Ohio; Devon Wilson, a secondary math education major from Cushing; Tana Estee Fleming, a theatre and art major from Bixby; Bill White, a biblical languages major from Paoli; Brad Moore, a Bible major from Oklahoma City; (row 3) Joe Finke, an English major from Independence, Mo., Adam Lowber, an English and philosophy major from McAlester; Kena Freeman, a sports ministry and recreation administration major from Tuttle; Andy Wilkins, a Bible major from Mustang; and Matt Green, a computer science major from Calvin.
Not pictured are Kyndra Barker, an elementary education major from Sherman, Texas; Misty Lamb, a musical arts and piano major from Tulsa; and Brad Nunnely, a kinesiology and leisure studies major from Granite.
The OBU-Shawnee Community Orchestra conducted by Dr. Jim Hansford, professor of music, and the University Ringers, conducted by Dr. Ron Davis, associate professor of organ, are slated to perform on the program. Other OBU music ensembles performing are the Bisonette Glee Club, conducted by Jack Pearson, associate professor of music, the Bison Glee Club, conducted by Dr. John Simons, associate professor of church music, and the University Chorale, conducted by Dr. James Vernon, associate professor of music.
A group of OBU theatre majors will perform as Candlelight Dancers.
The service will include the Chrismon symbols of Light, the Anchor Cross and Chi Rio, the Trinity and Horn, the Natal Cross and Five Pointed Star, the Butterfly and Alpha and Omega, the Rose and Dove and the Crown.
Dramatic readers will include the OBU College Players, Aaron Jones, instructor of art education, and Peggy Askins, director of academic records. Meredith Russell Hines will present an interpretive dance, The Rose of New Life, in memory of Dr. Jimmie Russell, Dr. Dick Rader, Andre Jeter, and other members of the OBU family who died this year.
The first OBU Hanging of the Green ceremony was in WMU Memorial Hall. After the singing of carols, representatives from all dormitories lit candles of good will and carried the light to their own homes. The custom of Hanging the Green has continued, though it moved in 1945 to the newly completed Brittain Hall Library, in 1957 to the University Auditorium, and in 1961 to John W. Raley Chapel.