On Dec. 3, Hopkins hosted the 21st annual Lighting of the Quads (LOTQ) celebration, a tradition organized by the Hopkins Organization for Programming (HOP) to mark the approaching end of the fall semester.
Wyman Quad, stretching in front of Shriver Hall, was packed with booths and buzzing with students as long lines formed for an array of free giveaways, ranging from T-shirts to the highly coveted LOTQ mugs. Despite the cold, the atmosphere remained lively as students weaved through the quad, treats in hand.
“[My favorite part is] definitely the mug,” freshman Adelyn Lovejoy said. “I came here for the mug, and everything else is just a plus.”
JOSEPH GREGORY / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Among the many displays was the Student Health and Well-Being table, manned by members of the Preventive Education and Empowerment for Peers (PEEPS) and the gender-based violence prevention team. The group handed out bingo cards that encouraged students to visit different booths around the quad. Students who completed their cards and submitted a photo were entered into a raffle for a seasonal effective disorder lamp.
Glow-in-the-dark condoms and stickers were also available at the booth, drawing both curiosity and laughter from passersby. On the anonymous social media platform Sidechat, many students also expressed amusement and appreciation for the unconventional giveaways.
JOSEPH GREGORY / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
From cupcakes to light-up headbands, each booth offered something unique, as LOTQ also offered plentiful stations for photo-opportunities and miscellaneous food items such as hot chocolate. However, as students ventured from booth to booth, many found the layout difficult to navigate, citing unclear organization and crowding near the most popular tables.
“[The HOP] organized it really well [but] I think having a layout for students so they know what they’re getting into and not just wandering aimlessly [could be an improvement],” Lovejoy said.
One of the night’s most unexpected attractions was when an artificial “tree” suddenly stood up, revealing a pair of feet. After initially responding with kazoo noises, The News-Letter learned that the person inside the costume was Resource Sharing Library Specialist Holly Tominack.
Tominack had worked in public libraries for 23 years before transitioning to academic libraries and beginning her work at the University. Although the Hopkins Sheridan Libraries typically host a table at LOTQ, they were unable to do so this year. Instead, Tominack decided to create her own costume and spread joy independently.
“The idea for the tree was just to make mischief in public events,” she said. “I can kind of pass for an actual inanimate object. When I stand up, it is a surprise and a delight.”
Sophomore Mihir Sharma also shared his thoughts on the event in an interview with The News-Letter. Sharma noted areas for improvement, such as crowd control and the emphasis on staff-led distribution of free goodies. Despite this, he explained why he was eager to join the celebrations again this year.
“Maybe [we should] let students handle the event themselves,” he said. “I was there last year, and the fireworks were the best part [...] all the sweet treats and cupcakes were fun and [enjoyable with others].”
ERIC WANG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The event also consisted of musical performances and entertainment spectacles by various Hopkins student organizations. Hopkins acapella groups such as Musical Dynasty took part in showcasing their talents on the steps in front of Shriver as the audience slowly grew. The celebration also featured the Johns Hopkins Entertainers Club, a flow arts organization that utilizes unique performative skills such as fire spinning.
Following the performances, President Ronald Daniels addressed the crowd after students transitioned to Decker Quad. In his address, Daniels reflected on the semester and the importance of shared traditions at the University. The night concluded with a fireworks show that lit up the sky, drawing cheers from students gathered across campus.
As the final sparks faded and students began to disperse, LOTQ ended as a celebration and a moment of collective pause, a respite from finals season and a reminder of campus community.
A note from the News & Features Team: As the next semester approaches, the News & Features team would like to extend a warm thank you to everyone who read our pieces, wrote for our section and allowed us to pester you for interviews! Without your hard work and readership, we would not have the resources to cover exciting events. Have a wonderful new year!
COURTESY OF KAYLEE NGUYEN
