The group involved in the Lantern Festival and Golden Lantern Award ceremony gather for a group shot around the "T" of lanterns on the Library steps.
Graduating seniors passed the torch of campus leadership to underclassmen Thursday evening during the Lantern Festival and Golden Lantern Award ceremony.
The ceremony, held in the lobby of the Thomas J. Garland Library, provides students who will be graduating in the upcoming December commencement ceremony the opportunity the honor of being a leader, a lantern bearer, to an underclassmen who will continue students leadership on campus and to also honor faculty who have made a difference in their lives. The ceremony is organized by the Office of Student Affairs.
The Lantern Bearers are selected from senior students who attain the honor through their leadership in campus. Participating in Thursday’s ceremony were Jessica Argentiere, Courtney Broderick, Kristy Crawley and JerWayne Gunn.
As part of the ceremony, the Lantern Bearers, wearing their academic robers, walked in a procession from the Niswonger Commons to the library carrying lanterns.
During the ceremony, the graduating seniors passed their robes and lanterns to their selected underclassmen with words of encouragement to become campus leaders and bequeathing such things as enthusiasm, kindness and a sense of humor on the recipients.
The seniors then honored faculty who have impacted their time at Tusculum with the presentation of Golden Lantern Awards. Argentiere presented her Golden Lantern Award to Dr. Debra McGinn, assistant professor of biology. Broderick presented hers to Dr. Desiree Matherly, assistant professor of English. Crawley presented hers to Dr. Tom Harlow, associate professor of psychology. Gunn presented his award to Dr. Deborah Bryan, assistant professor of art.
The Lantern Festival derives its symbolism from the term “Sit Lux”and the lamp depicted on the Tusculum College seal. The words “Sit Lux” serve as the motto of the College and translate as “Let There Be Light.” This phrase is consistent with Tusculum’s tradition of sending students forth to be a light in the world through their character and good works. The lamp or lantern appears on the seal as a symbolic representation of the College’s motto. The lantern has been a central icon in the traditions of the College.