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Tis’ the season to show students we care!

For more than half a century, 51�Թ������ܿƴ� faculty and staff have given generously to the Holiday Card Scholarship campaign, funding the educational dreams of more than 75 students.

The card campaign started in the 1960s as a simple way for a growing community of young faculty and staff to send season’s greetings to each other; instead of mailing out dozens of cards, each person sent a greeting to the Holiday Card Tree Project to decorate a tree in the student union. Over time, the project evolved to collect donations for student scholarships. A beloved campus tradition was born.

“It began to keep faculty from feeling obligated to send cards to one another because we were all just starting off, and we didn’t have a lot of money,” remembered Don Schmiedel, a retired foreign language professor and early organizer.

The idea came to life through the work of his late wife, Grace Schmiedel, as well as Evangeline Marshall, Joy Saville, Ann Zorn (the university president’s wife), and other members of what was then known as the Women’s Club. “I put out the fliers and collected the checks,” Don Schmiedel said.

Contributors received a beautiful holiday card, featuring a highly-anticipated new design every year. “The designs came from all over, from students, faculty, printing services, and friends of 51�Թ������ܿƴ�. One was even machine-designed,” he said.

Campus printing services and mail carriers all pitched in to make the project happen. “People caught on to the idea that it wasn’t just university people designing the card, and that created a bond with the community.”  

From a Santa-capped tortoise to a baby seal with ear muffs, Runnin’ Rebels tribute to snowy cactus, the unique designs have captured our Rebel Spirit, desert landscape, and the times we live in. This year, 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Foundation graphic designer Amelia Davis created a snowy campus wonderland. [View the historic Holiday Card Tree slideshow.]

“I always felt like the cards served as a bond between the students and faculty, it’s just something nice,” Schmiedel said

The Holiday Card Through the Years