The spirit of the season shone brightly Thursday as Saint Xavier University’s College of Liberal Arts and Education came together for its annual Christmas party, turning the fourth-floor boardroom into a cozy haven of cookies, conversation and community.
The gathering was organized by Angela Pirlott, PhD, a social psychologist and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Education, along with Gina Wozniak, assistant to the dean. Together, they helped create an atmosphere that blended celebration with compassion, inviting colleagues to reflect, reconnect and give back.
Director of Faculty Development alongside Caress Dean, Ph.D., Saint Xavier University’s Provost. (Photo by Kelly White)
Faculty and staff lingered over homemade treats, exchanged stories from the semester and enjoyed the rare chance to slow down alongside one another. What began as a simple celebration of the semester’s end grew into something more meaningful, as many chose to share in an optional gift-giving effort to support families in need.
The Christmas Gift Donation event, held in partnership with St. Cajetan Parish, provided presents for teens in the Austin neighborhood and for children served by Marillac St. Vincent Family Services. Even though participation was voluntary, the generosity on display filled the room as brightly as the holiday lights.
Attendees purchased gifts for teenagers ages 13 to 18, bringing in everything from warm clothing and toiletries to sports items, toys and board games. Each gift was carefully wrapped and labeled, ensuring every present reached just the right recipient.
Others chose to fulfill specific wish lists provided by St. Cajetan.
After receiving tags with a child’s age, gender and gift request, faculty and staff selected thoughtful items and brought them to be wrapped alongside the rest. Several community members offered cash donations, trusting Wozniak to coordinate the purchases so every child would be remembered this Christmas.
The wrapping party became a highlight of the afternoon.
Laughter and the rustle of wrapping paper filled the boardroom as colleagues gathered around tables, chatting, taping and tying bows. Even those who hadn’t contributed gifts joined in, happy to help and eager to share in the camaraderie. Plates of Christmas cookies were passed around, adding a sweet note to an already uplifting moment.
By the end of the celebration, the boardroom held not just stacks of wrapped gifts, but a sense of warmth and togetherness that carried well beyond the event. The CLAE community left with full hearts, knowing their small acts of kindness would brighten the holidays for families across the city — a fitting close to the semester and a meaningful start to the season of giving.
