2024 marks the 80th anniversary of one of Oglethorpe University’s most beloved and time-honored traditions—Boar’s Head.

This tradition rings in the holiday season every year at OU. It features several festive events, including a holiday concert put on by student music groups, the induction of new members into the prestigious Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) academic honor society, and the highly-anticipated after-party, the Evening of Holiday Enchantment.

To accommodate students’ academic schedules—and help them focus on finals—events were split between two dates this year: Nov. 22 and Dec. 6. 

The Nov. 22 gathering offered students, faculty and staff an early chance to celebrate with a lively evening reception, setting the stage for the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) induction and holiday concert to come. The “Masquerade” theme invited attendees to wear lavish regalia and don intricate masks as they celebrated.

On Dec. 6, the tradition continued with an alumni reception that welcomed Petrels back to campus, followed by the induction of 15 students and one staff member into ODK and a lively crowd at the Conant Performing Arts Center for the holiday concert.

This year’s concert, themed “Holding the Light,” showcased the talents of the Jazzy Petrels, the Oglethorpe University Singers and Chorale, and the Oglethorpe University Symphony. The program included the traditional Boar’s Head Carol during the processional, a retelling of the legend of the Boar’s Head, and several holiday selections. The music ensembles were led by Dr. Brent Runnels and Dr. Tom FitzStephens, and Omicron Delta Kappa President Kate Arett ’25 was this year’s ODK reader.

See all the photos from the Nov. 22 student party below: