Converse Hall Shines in a Season of Light
December 13, 2021
Westminster College opened the 2021 holiday season with a new campus tradition made possible through the generous donation of alumna (’79) and Board of Trustees member Kim T. Adamson: the lighting of Converse Hall. President Bethami Dobkin hosted a lighting ceremony on November 4 to an excited crowd gathered in Converse Circle. They ate cookies and drank cider as a jazz quartet played in the background. With a flip of a switch, purple and gold lights beamed from the eaves of Converse Hall. The cheerful moment is just one of the ways the college is restoring our Westminster community on campus and reviving personal connections that bring joy to our work.
“Let’s take moments this holiday season to recognize everyone’s care, commitment, and positive impact in both bringing back old traditions and creating new ones,” remarked President Dobkin. “These lights showcase the beauty of our campus and symbolize the joy and light of learning that inspires our work together.”
Prior to the event, Westminster’s Office of Global Peace and Spirituality organized a group discussion on the meanings of light to various cultures and religions through scientific, spiritual, and secular world views. Westminster wishes all in our community a season of joy.
Date | Celebration | Faith/Tradition |
---|---|---|
November 4, 2021 | Diwali (Deepavali) | Hindu |
November 4, 2021 | Diwali/Mahavir Nirvana | Jain |
November 5, 2021 | Vikram New Year | Hindu |
November 5–6, 2021 | Twin Holy Days: Birth of the Bab/Birth of Baha'u'llah | Baha'i |
November 13, 2021 | Jain New Year | Jain |
November 19, 2021 | Guru Nanak's Birthday | Sikh |
November 24, 2021 | Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji | Sikh |
November 26, 2021 | Day of the Covenant | Baha'i |
November 28, 2021 | Advent begins | Christian |
November 28, 2021 | Hanukkah begins | Judaism |
December 3, 2021 | Feast of St. Francis Xaiver | Christian |
December 6, 2021 | Hanukkah ends | Judaism |
December 8, 2021 | Bodhi Day | Buddhism |
December 21, 2021 | Yule/Winter Solstice | Indigenous |
December 25, 2021 | Christmas/Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ | Christian |
December 26, 2021 | Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathustra) | Zoroastrian |
December 26, 2021 | Kwanzaa begins | Racial/Ethnic (African and Black Americans) |
December 31, 2021 | Ghambar Maidyarem begins | Zoroastrian |
January 1, 2022 | Kwanzaa ends | Racial/Ethnic (African and Black Americans) |
January 4, 2022 | Ghambar Maidyarem ends | Zoroastrian |