By Aaliyah Pamplin
UNCP welcomed the holiday season Tuesday night with its annual Lighting of Old Main, a tradition that draws students, families, alumni and local residents to the historic heart of the campus.
The celebration began at 6 p.m. in front of Old Main, where guests gathered for music, refreshments and a countdown to light the university’s Old Main building. The free, public event featured performances by the Pembroke Singers, Senior Ms. Lumbee Wendy Chavis Locklear and children from Pembroke Elementary School. Speeches were given by Dr. Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings, M.D., and SGA President John Squier.
The Lighting of Old Main is considered one of UNCP’s signature holiday traditions and marks the campus’s official start to the cheerful season.
For many attendees, especially newcomers, the ceremony carries emotional and symbolic weight.
Shreerekha Pillai, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and a first-time attendee, said she was drawn to UNCP because of its history and mission.
“I read Hail to UNCP, and it talked about this tradition of lighting Old Main,” Pillai said. “Instead of lighting a tree, they’re lighting a building. It felt very uplifting to me, because what does it mean to imbue a building with light? A university is about enlightening people, so having this symbolic ritual every holiday season speaks to my soul.”
Pillai said she especially enjoyed the music and the speech by Cummings, who highlighted the significance of light across cultures.
“He talked about light in so many traditions — Indian, African American, Jewish,” she said. “That felt like a very generous gesture.”
Cummings said he focused his speech on the symbolic power of light because it resonates across cultures and faiths.
“When you think about Christmas and the holiday season, one of the things you think about is lights,” Cummings said. “I began to examine why — and it’s amazing how many traditions incorporate light, each with its own meaning.”
He said the event also offers a moment to reflect on UNCP’s long history.
“When I stand here and look at Old Main, I think back over the last 138 years and all the sacrifices people made for this university,” he said. “Now we’re bringing BraveNation and the community together to celebrate.”
Cummings said the Lighting of Old Main has been held for about a decade and continues to grow each year.
“It’s gotten bigger, more organized and more attended,” he said. “It’s a real tradition now.”
For many locals, the Lighting of Old Main is an annual tradition. Megan Strickland, who grew up in the nearby community of Prospect, said she has attended the ceremony for as long as she can remember.
“I usually come every year, and I bring the girls, but it is just nice to see the community and campus engaging together,” Strickland said. She said her favorite part is the interactions, “they have Santa here, and the fact that you hear all the different vocals from people. That’s my favorite part.”
She said she plans to return next year
Elijah Griffin, a junior attending the event for the third time, said he has gone every year since his freshman year. Griffin said he plans to continue the tradition next year as a senior and hopes to take the stage. “Hopefully I’ll be one of the speakers next year,” he said.
Griffin said the musical performances stood out to him the most. “I think the singing part was really my favorite,” he said. “I enjoyed the little children singing. They actually caught me by surprise, all their sweet little voices saying happy birthday to Jesus.”
Old Main holds deep cultural significance for both UNCP and the community. The building — restored after a 1973 fire — stands as a symbol of resilience, education and Indigenous identity, which Squier mentioned in his speech. For many attendees, its illumination represents not just a seasonal celebration but a shared sense of belonging.
As the final notes of the evening ended and Old Main glowed against the night sky, families lingered to take photos with the Grinch, Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy the crisp December air with fake snow — a sign that the holiday season at UNCP had officially begun.
