’Tis the Season: DeSales Celebrates Holidays With DUCSgiving, Tree Lighting

This year’s annual DUCSgiving and tree lighting ceremony featured food, fun, and some famous faces. 

FeRROUS, of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, and meLVin, of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, joined Frankie and the DSU community on Monday, Nov. 25, to celebrate the start of the holiday season. The Office of Student Life and the Student Government Association coordinated this year’s festivities, which featured a mix of old and new.  

“The community knows what to expect because we have the foundation, but adding new things keeps everyone on their toes. It’s nice to have new surprises and change things up while keeping with the tradition.”

 Bobby Dingell ’26, marketing major and president of SGA

Things kicked off in the afternoon with a Turkey Trot, which raised donations for the University’s food pantry. The traditional lines formed early for the annual DUCsgiving dinner, followed by the tree lighting and blessing on the campus mall, which featured performances by the DSU Chorale, dance team, and cheer team.  

A number of new events were also held throughout the Dorothy Day Student Union and outside, including a snow throw station—similar to axe throwing—and a Santa’s workshop that’s tied into the University’s Be Well initiative. Also, for the first time on DUCsgiving, the men’s and women’s basketball teams took to the courts in Billera Hall against Moravian University. 

“It’s a fun way to end the night,” Dingell said. “DeSales is always looking to promote its community. That’s what makes a good university: everyone coming together for the same mission. It’s a day to put the books aside, embrace our community, and thank God for all the gifts that we have.”