by Angela Farlow, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville’s Campus Activity Board (CAB) will transform the Stevens Student Center (SSC) into a Christmas wonderland again this year, beginning November 22.
The theme this year is “Home for the Holidays,” designed to help students remember what Christmas was like for them growing up. Last year, the SSC became “The Polar Express,” with a large train display transporting students into the classic holiday animated movie.
“I remember when I was a freshman, and my first semester I hadn’t fully embraced the Cedarville experience yet,” said senior Graham Benefiel, CAB co-executive director. “Campus Christmas was special for me because when I walked into the SSC and saw all the decorations, I was shocked by the extravagance. It really goes beyond anything you'll see anywhere else.”
— Graham Benefiel
Because of his experience, Benefiel decided to be a part of the team that makes the event happen. Along with two other CAB co-executive directors, seniors Kimmy Powell and Gwendolyn Peterson, Benefiel will help put together their final Campus Christmas as students.
Brian Burns, director of campus experience, explained that Campus Christmas began in 2006 and has remained a very significant event to the Cedarville University community. This is the 10th year of transforming the SSC into a winter wonderland.
While the decorations are a large part of Campus Christmas, Burns explained Campus Christmas is important to Cedarville because it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus.
“In the planning process, we know that it won't just be Cedarville students and faculty that see the decorations and go to the event, but people from all around this area will be seeing it and wondering why we do it,” said Benefiel. “We want all of our hard work and the product that we create to be a big flashing arrow straight to Jesus.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,380 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its Master of Divinity and Master of Ministry programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.