A poster welcomes students, faculty and staff to enter our Sneden office area and enjoy the diverse door decorations in support of the

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s Creative Celebrations Holiday Contest.

Sharon Vriend-Robinette, Charlie Bunker, Marjolijn van der Velde, Brenda Lauer, Charmayne Mulligan, Irene Bembenista, Yvonne Alles, Michael

Carey, Karen Clark, Jack Cichy, and Michael Case all participated.

Each of us shared in decorating a door for our colleague, Kenneth Krug, who passed away this summer.

The holiday classic, “12 Days of Christmas,” was our inspiration, and each of us interpreted a portion of the song in the spirit of hope,

peace and inclusion.

A partridge in a pear tree

A single dove is surrounded by symbols of the winter solstice, placed in the shape of a symbol of peace.

~Sharon Vriend-Robinette

2 Turtle doves2 tortoises are surrounded by pairs of birds, reflecting the diversity of species

~ Charlie Bunker

3 French hens….

Three happy hens chat with one another in French…celebrating the joy of the season.

~Marjolijn van der Velde

4 calling birds

Four calling birds celebrate peace, hope and unity

~ Brenda Lauer

5 golden rings

Secular and Christian symbols in golden rings represent peace, hope and unity. ~ Charmayne Mulligan

6 geese a-laying

7 swans a-swimming

The 7 snowflakes on the decorated door highlight different words related to peace, hope, and unity.

8 maids a-milkingOr in this case….8 reindeer running. Each reindeer is adorned with a national flag. A sign celebrates unity and peace by asking for peace and goodwill for ALL.

9 ladies dancing

Nine ladies dance under a sign of Peace. ~Karen Clark

10 Lords a-leaping

Ten Lords proclaim various messages related to hope, peace, and unity. Diverse symbols reinforce the message.

~Jack Cichy

11 pipers piping

Words of peace and hope surround greenery celebrating the 11 pipers piping. Two flutes outline a main piper.~ Michael Case

Officemates contributed in decorating Ken Krug’s door. Each of the other members of the “Sneden 12” are shown as drummers.

12 drummers drumming

Ken Krug is at the center of the other members of the “Sneden 12”

The opportunity to decorate our individual doors united the “Sneden 12” and provided an opportunity for us to share our own traditions. We also took time to remember our colleague

and friend, Ken. We marked St. Nicholas day on Dec. 6 with Sinterklass food and gifts from a

colleague, and we will finish our several-week celebration with a potluck of favorite foods,

some ethnic, on December 19.

~ The End