Faculty and staff of Alabama State University kicked off the holiday season in style on Nov. 21, Thursday afternoon, to celebrate the holiday season and their collective contributions to the university during the annual Holiday Party.

The event, held at 4 p.m., transformed the John Garrick Hardy Center Ballroom into a festive “Candy Cane Land” and marked the imminent conclusion of the academic semester with festivities that included dinner, dessert, raffles and a visit from Santa Claus.

“I’m very much so enjoying this event! It turned out very well! And Dr. Ross gave us a $1,000 bonus!” Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff Candace Davis said.

Davis, who designed the event’s “Candy Cane Land” theme, described the process of bringing her vision to life as “seamless.”

“Once I came up with the theme ‘Candy Cane Land,’ I got my time together, and bringing the vision to life was not hard at all,” she said. “In fact, it was seamless.”

Davis also detailed the raffle prizes, which included a variety of items such as a blanket, whiskey glass, university playing cards and Hornet pins.

“In the other two bags, there are two Turkey Day Classic club tickets and a parking pass,” she added.

President Quinton T. Ross Jr., Ed.D., expressed his gratitude for the university’s faculty and staff, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their efforts.

“It’s such a wonderful feeling. When you think about Alabama State University, this is us. All of us contribute to her growth and her success for the benefit of our students,” Ross said. “Every now and then, you have to pause and tell people ‘thank you’ for what they do.”

Ross highlighted the bonus as a gesture of appreciation from university leadership.

“Normally, the gifts are smaller, but this year, it’s a little larger,” he said, noting it was provided as a supplement.

University’s Executive Director of Office of Marketing and Strategic Communications Shani Crayton reflected on the significance of the gathering.

“Having everyone be able to come here and gather and enjoy the holiday season is so great,” Crayton said. “I think it’s fantastic that we are receiving this $1,000 bonus! It’s really good to feel appreciated by the university and leadership.”

Attendees praised the event’s festive atmosphere and the sense of camaraderie it fostered.

“It’s a great opportunity for the campus to get together and build morale,” said Director of Trio Programs Acquanetta Pinkard, Ph.D. “I feel like this party tops previous years. The parties get better and better each year.”

Planning and Evaluation Specialist David Hammond echoed the sentiment.

“This is an amazing event for our faculty and staff to come together and enjoy the holiday season,” Hammond said. “We have Santa here, we have giveaways, and it’s just a season of Thanksgiving, joyfulness and celebration.”

For some, the event was a chance to connect with colleagues outside the typical work environment.

“You know, I get a lot of emails from different people from different departments, so I’ll know the names but not the face. For me, this event helps me put the name with the face,” said Eddie Robinson Jr., head football coach. “Now, I’m able to have conversations whether it’s about family, school or about something that relates to one of the student athletes. It’s good for me to know the people I work with around campus and interact with indirectly and make those connections to get to know each other better outside of the work environment.”

First-time attendee Chrystan Luckey, a Living Learning assistant coordinator, expressed excitement after winning a raffle.

“Thank the Lord! Everybody doesn’t get this opportunity, but I got it! I’m so blessed and I love Alabama State for this opportunity,” Luckey said. “This is my first time coming to the holiday party, and so far, I love everything about it. It’s good to see all of my co-workers, new faces, and I really am enjoying it.”

The holiday celebration continues to be a cherished tradition for the university community.

“It’s always exciting when something is held for us, for faculty and staff,” said Brenda Gill, Ph.D., professor of sociology and associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. “I just love this event, I look forward to it every year.”

As the event concluded, Ross reminded attendees of the university’s ongoing commitment to gratitude and unity.

“It doesn’t matter what position they are in or what they do, just tell them thank you and show appreciation,” he said.