Press Release

Free Holiday Concert

ATLANTA - Oglethorpe University will welcome the holiday season with the 87th annual Boar’s Head Ceremony and Holiday Concert on Friday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Conant Performing Arts Center.

The evening will feature holiday entertainment by the University Singers and University Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Irwin Ray, organist David Buice and The Joyful Ringers Handbell Choir of Norcross First United Methodist Church with Alice Myers conducting.

The legend of Boar’s Head can be traced to the late 14th century at Queens College of Oxford University. Copcot, a student wandering the forest of Shotover on the day before Christmas, stopped to read Aristotle when he was attacked by a wild boar. As the boar charged, Copcot stood his ground saying in Greek, “Wisdom conquers even the treacherous beast.” At the last moment, he extended his arm, thus ramming the book down the throat of the animal. The boar found Aristotle hard to swallow and, amidst much choking and gasping, expired. Copcot brought the carcass to the college cook, who roasted it, Aristotle and all, for Christmas dinner. It was observed that those who ate the flesh of the boar grew wiser with each bite.

Oglethorpe University, steeped in English tradition with ties to Corpus Christi College of Oxford University, adopted the tradition as an occasion to hold a holiday party for faculty, staff and students. As the event has evolved through the years, it has become a time to honor the inductees of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society founded at Washington and Lee University in 1914. The concert is free and open to the public. Visit www.oglethorpe.edu (keyword: arts) for more information.

Students and their families from an OU PALS (Positive Actions Lead to Success) partner institution, Drew Charter School, will also be in attendance. The OU PALS program is a partnership with Drew Charter School, Ed S. Cook Elementary School and PATH Academy. Oglethorpe students, faculty and staff have been completing volunteer projects at each school and tutoring and mentoring the students. Each of these partnerships has offered unique opportunities for Oglethorpe students to give back while learning about the needs of a community.