Dec. 1, 2023

---

MILWAUKEE — Marquette University will host its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 5, beginning at 5:00 p.m.—Marquette will also host several other events throughout the month. Additionally, Marquette experts are available for stories surrounding the holiday season.

Christmas events

All events are free to attend and open to the public. Media interested in attending any Christmas events on campus must contact Kevin Conway at kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu to RSVP in advance.

• Christmas tree lighting — Tuesday, Dec. 5, beginning at 5 p.m.
  • Marquette will host its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the St. Joan of Arc Chapel courtyard. Carols will be sung and played by the Marquette band and choir, followed by remarks from President Michael R. Lovell and the blessing of the tree.
  • Ryan Duns, S.J., will be available for interviews on-site.
• Christmas concerts
  • Friday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m.: The Marquette University Chorus will host its annual Christmas concert at the Church of the Gesu (1145 W. Wisconsin Ave.).
  • Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m.: Marquette University Bands’ Music Area Holiday Concert will take place at Varsity Theatre (1326 W. Wisconsin Ave.).
  • Sunday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m.: The Marquette University Gospel Choir will present “The Christmas Story: Gospel Style” in the Weasler Auditorium (1506 W. Wisconsin Ave.).
• The Office of Mission and Ministry and the Campus Ministry have released a schedule of blessings and caroling events for Advent.

Christmas and winter experts

Marquette faculty experts are available for stories surrounding the holiday season and winter. Experts listed below can be contacted directly at their listed email addresses. If you do not see an expert for your story, please visit the university’s Experts Directory or contact Kevin Conway, kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu, or Melissa Barclay, melissa.barclay@marquette.edu, for assistance in identifying an expert.

• Holiday shopping and retail trends surrounding the holidays
  • Alex Milovic, associate professor of practice for marketing, alexander.milovic@marquette.edu
• How to adopt an “attitude of gratitude” around the holidays and the start of a new year
  • Ryan Duns, S.J., associate professor of theology, ryan.duns@marquette.edu
• Managing mental health and stress of the holiday season
  • Lynne Knobloch-Fedders, associate professor of counselor education and counseling psychology, lynne.knobloch-fedders@marquette.edu
• New exercise plans with the start of a new year and New Year’s resolutions and how the body will react
  • Christopher Geiser, clinical associate professor of exercise science, geiser@marquette.edu
• History of Advent
  • John Laurance, S.J., associate professor emeritus of theology, john.laurance@marquette.edu. (Fr. Laurance serves as the men’s basketball team chaplain. Please consult the team game schedule before reaching out.)
• What Christmas candy is better or worse for children’s teeth
  • Brian Hodgson, professor of pediatric dentistry, brian.hodgson@marquette.edu
• Reduce injuries when shoveling snow or walking on ice
  • Sandra Hunter, professor of exercise science, sandra.hunter@marquette.edu
• The physics involved in sledding, including how to maximize speed
  • Chris Stockdale, associate professor of physics, christopher.stockdale@marquette.edu
  • Jax Sanders, assistant professor of physics, jax.sanders@marquette.edu

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

---

About Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.