SHAWNEE—Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) will present the annual Hanging of the Green featuring the Bison Glee Club, the Bisonette Women’s Glee Club, the University Chorale and the Orchestra Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. in Yarborough Auditorium on the lower level of Raley Chapel.

Due to limited seating available in Yarborough Auditorium, reservations are required for the event. Visit okbu.cc/hotg to make reservations.

OBU’s Hanging of the Green is a long-standing holiday event that originated in 1937.

The Bisonettes will perform “The First Noel” and “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy.” Bison Glee Club will be singing “There Is Faint Music” by Dan Forrest and Isaac Melton will be the pianist. Plus, the University Chorale will bring the holiday spirit with “Joy to the World,” “Christmas Sing Noel!” and a special rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful” featuring a trio accompanied by orchestra. The Christmas Angel will captivate with a solo performance. An orchestra will also play “O Magnum Mysterium.”

For the grand finale, all groups, along with the orchestra, will unite to deliver “All Is Well,” and “Christ Is Born.” The congregation will join in singing traditional favorites, including “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

Mark Franklin will provide the prelude and postlude.

During the evening, the University will also recognize 20 outstanding seniors, 10 male and 10 female. Students were nominated by OBU faculty with final selections made by committee to be given the honor of hanging the green during the ceremony.

The 2023 Hanging of the Green honorees include Katelyn Burks, a communication studies major with a minor in marketing from Leavenworth, Kan.; Isabela Gonzalez, a physics major with a minor in mathematics from Enid; Christian James, a biblical studies major with a minor in psychology from Tulsa; Casey Mills, a global-marketplace engagement major with a minor in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) from Bridge Creek; Nathan Ivanoff, an elementary education major from Anchorage, Alaska; Jaxon Canard, an exercise science major with a minor in pre-allied health from Edmond; and Alexander Schovanec, a psychology major with a minor in athletic coaching from Tecumseh.

The Hanging of the Green honorees also include Jade Stauffer, a philosophy and mathematics major from Canton, Kan.; Sarah Bross, a politics major with a minor in history from Guthrie; Jaiden Balthrop-Russell, a business management and social entrepreneurship major from Owasso; Jaylin Anders, a vocal music education major from Norman; Parker Douglas, a computer information system major with a minor in bible and theology and a minor in philosophy from Bartlesville; James White, a biology major from Edmond; Trinity Evans, an interdisciplinary studies major with minors in business, Christian ministries, and psychology from Fort Gibson; Alanna Bloomingdale, an exercise science major with a human performance emphasis and a sports management minor, from Skiatook; Lauren Turner, an accounting major from Bixby; Valentina Nunez Butzonitch, a psychology major with a business administration minor from Ituzaingo, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Parker New, a physics and mathematics double major from Conway, Ark.; Andrew Jarboe, a cross cultural ministry major with a history minor from Shawnee; and Nathaniel Anderson, a business finance major from Owasso.

Also, the University Ringers will be performing in the lower Geiger Center before the Hanging of the Green from 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Hanging of the Green is hosted by the OBU Division of Music in conjunction with the Office of Student Life. The first OBU Hanging of the Green ceremony was held in 1937. The long-standing holiday event has continued being held at various places on campus and was moved to Raley Chapel in 1961.