Hopkins students, faculty, staff and community members gathered for the 20th annual Lighting of the Quads (LOTQ) ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6. This tradition marks the end of the fall semester with an evening of festivities, community bonding and vibrant celebrations.
This year’s LOTQ saw some notable changes compared to previous iterations. The event took place on Wyman Quad in front of Shriver Hall, instead of the usual Keyser Quad location. However, the spirit of the event remained unchanged, as attendees enjoyed a lively festival featuring giveaways, music and a fireworks display.
The festivities officially began at 6 p.m. and drew an eager crowd. Booths from 19 university offices, including the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association and Student Well-Being, offered students engaging activities and opportunities to connect. Students indulged in seasonal treats like hot chocolate, cookies and candy while many lined up to collect LOTQ mugs with a customized design. Other giveaways included snow globe ornaments and t-shirts.
As the evening progressed, student arts groups organized by the Office of Arts and Innovation took the stage in front of Shriver Hall. The performances showcased the talents of the Hopkins community — featuring a cappella groups, a Pep Band performance and a fire dancing show by the Johns Hopkins Entertainers Club.
At 7:15 p.m., President Ronald J. Daniels addressed the crowd, officially illuminating the campus’s holiday lights and eliciting cheers from attendees.
During President Daniels’ remarks in front of Shriver Hall, protestors from the Hopkins Justice Collective (HJC) held a silent demonstration behind the glass doors leading into Shriver and on Decker Quad. Protestors raised Palestinian flags and a banner reading “Free Palestine: Divest from Occupation.”
In a press release to The News-Letter, HJC alleged misconduct, intimidation and harassment by the Johns Hopkins University Public Safety Security Officers, who were present at the LOTQ.
Following Daniels’ remarks, the evening concluded with a fireworks show, which lit up the campus and brought the celebration to an end.
Originally scheduled for Dec. 5, the event was postponed due to inclement weather. Some students, like Junior Prasi Thapa, shared the challenges of the cold weather in an interview with The News-Letter.
“[Compared to last year], it’s really cold today. I’m glad they switched it after the wind advisory, but it’s been freezing,“ she said. “I wish it was earlier in the semester.”
Despite the chilly temperatures, the event’s atmosphere left a lasting impression on attendees. In an interview with The News-Letter, Junior Dayrin Marquina shared her favorite part of the event.
“I really love the camaraderie of bringing all the students together. It’s a pretty similar vibe to last year’s, where we can see all of our friends,“ she said.
Samhi Boppana contributed reporting to this article.
