The University of Wyoming’s Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center welcomed faculty, students, and families from the greater Laramie area to celebrate the first Holiday Open House since the beginning of COVID-19.
UW President Ed Seidel accompanied by his partner Dr. Gabrielle Allen hosted the event with the support of the Office of the President’s events team. The open house featured a myriad of activities for attendees including face painting, a hot chocolate bar, cookie decorating, and live music.
Special appearances from Pistol Pete and Cowboy Joe himself drew small crowds of families outside for pictures, while Santa sat before the fireplace receiving a line of children.
Although President Seidel left the event early to attend a vigil in downtown Laramie honoring the lives lost at the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs Nov.19, he did share his excitement for hosting the community.
“We are just happy to be able to do this since the first time we have been here, since after all the COVID issues we’ve had. It feels great.”
Katie Lang, organizer and member of the Office of the President’s Event’s Team, felt similarly.
“We’re really excited to put this event on, it’s been on hiatus for two or three years,” Lang said “We think it’s a great outreach. The university is such a big part of Laramie so having this community come to campus with families and children is really great.”
UW Jazz Quartet opened with a performance, kicking off the live music, followed by the UW Brass Quintet, acapella group the Happy Jacks, and lastly a finale from the Laramie Municipal band performing holiday standards like Greensleeves and White Christmas.
In the wake of long-standing social isolation, reintroducing events like the annual Holiday Open House may be a crucial step toward mending the social fabric of entire communities.
