Out of Darkness: A Celebration of Light

Save the Date! A new campus tradition Wednesday, December 4, 2024

What: Out of Darkness: A Celebration of Light
Who: Faculty, staff, and students
When: Wednesday, December 4, 2024: Save the date for McDaniel College's newest tradition, “Out of Darkness: A Celebration of Light,” a special evening filled with light, education, food, and the sharing of religious and cultural traditions.

A Celebration of Light

A Celebration of Light brings the McDaniel College campus community together in unity to celebrate our campus history, learn from one another, uplift our cultural organizations, share our differing religious and cultural traditions, usher in the winter holiday season, and have fun together as a community.

As each student engages with our educational experience, they expand their worldview and knowledge, becoming more enlightened. This deeply personal journey is reflected in the college's motto, E Tenebris in Lucem Voco, which means, "I call you out of darkness into light."

A Campus Glow-Up

As you explore the “Out of Darkness: A Celebration of Light” event, more than 25,000 lights and over 700 luminaries will be lighting up campus, providing a beautiful and inspiring backdrop for fun and fellowship (and great photo ops!).

Special light-filled spots include the walkway beneath McDaniel’s historic zelkova trees; the light tunnel along the Western Maryland Railway train route; the senior luminaries celebrating the Class of 2024 in Memorial Plaza; and, of course, the majestic trees flanking the entrance of Hoover Library.

rows of luminaries line the ground with white lights hanging from trees and students roasting smores in the background

Western Maryland Railway Holiday Train Ride

Honoring the history of McDaniel College, previously named Western Maryland College (in reference to the Western Maryland Railway), you’ll take a past-to-present trip from the Western Maryland Depot to the McDaniel Depot. Generously sponsored by the President’s Office, be sure to grab a warm drink at the depot before your ride. Along the route, you’ll enjoy a short history of the college, narrated by college historian James E. Lightner ’59, and Christmas carols sung by the gospel choir under the direction of Senior Adjunct Lecturer of Music Shelley Ensor.

Listen to Lightner's Holiday Train History.

Red train with a WM Western Maryland Railroad sign decorated with Christmas lights

Recap of 2023 event New tradition celebrates the McDaniel community while ushering in the holiday season

“Out of Darkness: A Celebration of Light” on Wednesday, Nov. 29, combined beloved college traditions with new experiences in honor of the college’s motto “E Tenebris in Lucem Voco” or “I call you out of darkness into light.” The evening was filled with light, education, food, and the sharing of cultural traditions.

Read "New tradition celebrates the McDaniel community while ushering in the holiday season "