According to Christine Grant, assistant vice president in the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, the campus’s online communication sources may be effective in spreading the word about holiday news and events, but it is word-of-mouth that truly heightens the level of engagement and even helps fill in many details of the celebrations involved.
“Many of my associates have mentioned to me how they saw something online that was of such interest to them that they immediately repurposed the information and shared it in their own way to their own friends and connections,” Grant says. “That happens a lot around holiday time. Many people are already aware of their own customs and celebrations, of course, but what’s nice to see is when friends, classmates, and colleagues share what they know with others who might not be so aware. We really like to see that since our overarching goal is to be inclusive.”
In continuing to raise awareness and to support the vast array of religious holidays and cultural celebrations practiced by campus members, the Office and Inclusive Excellence and Belonging compiled and publicized a list of some of the religious holidays and cultural celebrations observed in December and early January.
UHart partners with several local organizations to promote the joy, optimism, and inclusiveness that the winter holidays bring. The University’s own Holiday Giving Program, for example, is a tradition that has been promoting charitable giving and support for many years. Managed by the Office of Student Engagement and Inclusion, with support from the Office of Residential Life, the Department of Public Safety, and the Harrison Libraries, the Holiday Giving Program joins forces with South Park Inn, The Village for Families & Children, The Nosh, and Howie’s Holiday Toy Drive, which is affiliated with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford.
South Park Inn, whose mission is to provide a safe, temporary places for homeless individuals to stay while long-term solutions are sought, accepts personal hygiene and household items to deliver to those individuals.
Christine Grant, Assistant Vice President, Office of Inclusive Excellence and BelongingMany people are already aware of their own customs and celebrations, of course, but what’s nice to see is when friends, classmates, and colleagues share what they know with others who might not be so aware.
The Village for Families & Children has been providing programs and services throughout Greater Hartford for over 200 years. The group collects donations which are then turned over to people in need, often in the form of gift cards.
The Nosh provides non-perishable food, frozen food, fresh produce, toiletries, paper goods, and cleaning supplies to the University of Hartford community. It is supported by our food service contractor, Aramark, and is an approved partner of Connecticut Foodshare.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford has provided a positive environment for children and teens throughout the City of Hartford for more than 160 years, and its Howie’s Holiday Toy Drive initiative is indicative of its annual mission and goals.
So much about the winter season and its many holidays is music to our collective ears—not the least of which is the actual music! In fact, UHart’s Presidents’ College, a lifelong learning initiative for the community where people can attend a single lecture or take a two-to-four session non-credit courses, offered a class this winter called “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime: An Early Music Christmas” that explored the origin of Christmas carols from around the world. It was taught by Dee Hansen, Eric Hansen, and Neal Humphreys, all experts in music and music education, and is said to have had the effect of transporting students on a caroling journey from the 13th to the 17th century.
“The course originated as a Christmas concert by our trio, Entwyned Early Music, more than 10 years ago,” explains Dee Hansen, Hartt professor emerita of music education and author of the book 100 Years of Hartt: A Centennial Celebration. Hansen describes the course as a Christmas voyage through time and across continents. “This Presidents’ College course is just one example of how UHart works very hard to address the cultural diversity and equity of its students. The good news is that I have seen enormous changes in the student population since I began as a professor in 2006,” says Hansen, who is a nationally known clinician and arts consultant specializing in curriculum and assessment development.
UHart also partnered this month with the University of Connecticut on an event that helps spread holiday cheer beyond both campuses. The concert, called “Back to the Times Carol Sing,” was held on Thursday, December 12, on the front steps of the Hartford Times Portico, which is now part of the UConn Hartford campus. It featured several choral groups, which invited the public to sing along. Holiday classics and traditional carols helped bring the community together with some truly joyful sounds.
At the singalong, nearly 30 UHart students participated as part of two popular a capella groups, L’Shir and Hartattack. Many of the students are vocal studies majors from The Hartt School. A brass quintet from the Hartt Community Division also played a series of holiday favorites.
Emily Strange ‘27, a sophomore music education major at The Hartt School and a member of Hartattack, says that all the clubs and organizations on the UHart campus was one of the primary attractions for her when she was considering colleges to attend. “Being in Hartattack reminds me of some wonderful times in my childhood when I used to help my dad, a music teacher, who also led singalongs.”
“Music is a great connector and uniter, especially during the holidays,” adds Rachel Spurrier, UHart’s marketing communications manager for visual and performing arts. “It can bring comfort, peace, and joy.”
This event has been a tradition in Hartford for decades, and UConn has been working to re-create it since the opening of the its Hartford campus,. By forging a partnership with UHart and uniting the two institutions on this year’s event, it allowed the tradition to continue by making it even more special. “With all the musicians from UHart who participated, the seeds have definitely been planted for this event to continue to grow,” Spurrier adds.
Without a doubt, UHart is enriched by the diverse cultures, religions, talents, and philanthropic spirit represented by its students, faculty, and staff. Wishing all the happiest of holidays and best wishes for 2025.