Six-hundred Buena Vista University students gathered in the main dining room on December 8 to celebrate the 39th annual BVU Christmas Dinner.

Sophomores Anyi Martinez and Amber Aljets rang the Victory Bell, carols were sung, and students joined University Chaplain Dr. Melanie Hauser in highlighting holiday traditions of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. Dr. Trent Grundmeyer ’03 even brought reindeer from Central Iowa for photo opportunities with students.

Per usual, Ken Allen, General Manager of Sodexo Campus Services, earned a raucous round of applause as he stepped to the podium to describe the dinner while also giving thanks for a time of togetherness, celebration, and tradition.

“This season is about faith, hope, and love,” Allen said. “And there is lots of love in this building. With all sorts of help the past few days, this special evening came together for you. It is so special for our faculty and staff to serve you and to see all of you being here together at once. I love you guys!”

“It is a wonderful time for students of all different majors and interests to come together,” said Aaron Van Roekel, a sophomore social work major from Sioux Center. “Our schedules don’t often align, but we do come together for the Christmas Dinner.”

Sophomore Matthew Forristal, a music production major from Holstein, performed with the BVU Concert Choir, Jazz Band, and Concert Band in a concert offering prior to the Christmas Dinner. He was also among several students who participated in a recital following the dinner at the Cordell ’63 and Sandra Peterson Fireside Lounge.

Senior Maddy Dutcher, a secondary art education major from Fort Dodge, said she loved how music was incorporated into the Christmas Dinner.

Kyra Curtis, a sophomore criminology major from Fort Dodge, has helped setup at similar events. She was amazed at how it all comes together. “With Ken Allen’s magic, it all appears,” she said.

Brennan Fay, a criminal justice and history major from Halbur, grabbed a Christmas ornament and said she’d be taking it home. “My mother, Dr. Angela (Mason) Fay ’01, is an alumnus and we collect the Christmas ornaments,” said Fay, a senior.

Following the dinner, students posed for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Buford T. Beaver, and their friends, roommates, teammates and suitemates.