At just past 5:00 p.m., President Judy Olian was joined by members of the Quinnipiac men’s basketball team as she led students, alumni, faculty and friends in a countdown to the moment when brilliant white lights adorning the Arnold Bernhard Library, the Carl Hansen Student Center and several other buildings on the Mount Carmel Campus were switched on to reveal a stunning winter makeover.

But the party started even earlier for the bundled-up masses. The hot cocoa was flowing by 4 p.m., when student emcee Jacqueline Ydrovo ’24, MS ’25 began her hosting duties by directing an ugly sweater contest on the steps of the library. She got an assist in deciding the winners of several different categories from her guest judges: university librarian Robert Joven, Chester Jones of the Bobcat Den and SGA senator Kaitlyn Sternhardt ’26.

Basketball players then distributed tickets to an upcoming home contest before Ydrovo called out holiday trivia questions about everything from beloved holiday movies like “Home Alone” to familiar seasonal song lyrics. Finally, President Olian took the stage to deliver a warm holiday message to the crowd.

“It warms my heart to see so many of our Bobcat family here on the Quad,” Olian said. “This truly is a wondrous time of year. To celebrate the bonds we share with one another. To extend our hands and hearts to those around us. To express gratitude for simple acts of caring that lift us up.”

Boomer made the rounds in a not-so-ugly sweater and scarf of his own, posing for group photos in a sleigh and mingling with Frosty the Snowman. Olian in her remarks gave heartfelt thanks to the event’s organizers for making the night a “gleaming success” and wished the crowd a “happy, peaceful and joyous holiday season.”

“This is also a time for me to say ‘thank you’ for fostering a community where kindness and excellence go hand in hand and where lasting friendships flourish across our campuses,” Olian said. “For nurturing an environment where every member of our community feels valued, heard, seen and supported. And for making Quinnipiac a place where everyone can thrive and belong.”

In Focus