by Annette Herrera
Daily Lobo
UNM was lit up with thousands of luminarias Friday night to celebrate one of the University's oldest traditions: Hanging of the Greens.
More than 30 student organizations set up about 20,000 luminaries throughout campus to celebrate the tradition, which has been around since the 1930s.
Alison Laarkamp and Alex Alatorre, members of the Society for Human Resources Management, were in charge of decorating Mitchell Hall with luminarias.
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Laarkamp said the organization had not participated in Hanging of the Greens for several years, but members decided this would be a fun way to end the semester.
Alatorre agreed.
"UNM does so much for us," Alatorre said. "It's time we give back to the University."
Members of the community were invited to tour the luminarias, and carolers sang holiday songs while wandering throughout campus.
Senior Elaine Almquist toured the luminaries.
"I am graduating in May," Almquist said. "I have never seen them lit up, and I wanted to before I left UNM."
The tour ended in front of UNM President Louis Caldera's house, where Mortar Board, a UNM senior honor society, presented Caldera with a holiday wreath.
Mortar Board has sponsored Hanging of the Greens since the 1950s.
Student organizations sign up to participate, and Mortar Board supplies them with the materials for the luminarias and designates a section for each organization to decorate.
Trey Smith, staff adviser to Mortar Board, said about 250 people participated in the caroling tour around campus. He said it was the biggest turnout in recent years.
"This year's students have been incredible," Smith said. "They have been organized since the summer, and I believe this contributed to the great turnout."
After the presentation of the wreath, Caldera opened up his home to everyone attending Hanging of the Greens for a reception.
UNM student Erin Barringer waited outside Caldera's house to enter the reception on Friday.
"I wanted to see where the President lives before I graduate," Barringer said.
David Steele, co-chairman of the Hanging of the Greens project, said he has participated in the event for four years.
"This is a great event," Steele said. "It's one of the only times where community members, faculty and students can come together."
Emily Tabinski, a member of the Pre-Pharmacy Society, said she helped set up the luminarias around the Kiva building, and was amazed by the tradition.
"The campus looks beautiful," Tabinski said. "I'm from Maryland, and this is my first time seeing luminarias."
Smith said the luminarias were free to anyone in the community to pick up Saturday morning to decorate their homes.
The remaining luminarias will be disposed of by student organizations who participated in the event with help from UNM's Physical Plant Department.
