Winter Fest

Wheaton community, local neighbors enjoy a unique celebration

Ice sculptures, sweet treats, music and more made for a magical Monday as the Wheaton community and local neighbors enjoyed the first Winter Fest celebration on a campus aglow in luminaria and white lights. President Michaele Whelan invited students, staff, faculty and their families as well as area residents to attend the inaugural event held on Dec. 5, 2022. The celebration, which was cosponsored by the Office of the President and Arts at Wheaton, featured a student music performance, vendors selling handmade items, an opportunity to be in a snow globe photo, food trucks offering Thai food and fries, as well as hot cocoa, apple cider doughnuts and other treats from Dining Services.

Whelan said she wanted to start the event as a new way to create connection. Winter Fest was one in a series of Tradition and Transformation events being held during the 2022–23 academic year celebrating the college today and its future.

“In my talks with staff last spring, many mentioned that after COVID–19, it was more important than ever to mark the beginning of the school year, the end of the fall semester and the end of the spring term,” said Whelan. “Celebrating milestones as a community brings everyone together. After the intensity of the semester, it’s important to pause, reflect on all that has been accomplished, and to enjoy each other and the beauty of the Dimple.”

“I also heard from people in Norton who wonder about our campus as they drive by, and we wanted to invite them in to share the light, music and food,” she added.

—Sandy Coleman

More online wheatoncollege.edu/ wheaton-magazine