Thank you for joining us for Herd Holiday on November 29, 2022. We look forward to celebrating the season with our Marshall family again next year. Until then, enjoy photos from our event below and scroll down to check out some fun holiday activities you can do at home this season.
Marshall Moment: Herd Holiday Tradition
Santa Photos from the 2022 Family Holiday Party – Dec. 15
Tree Lighting
Join President Brad D. Smith and First Lady Alys Smith along with Mr. & Ms. Marshall for a fun and festive lighting of the Memorial Student Center Plaza. The tree lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on the MSC Plaza.
The program will include performances by:
- Marshall University Early Education STEAM Center
- The Old Main Carolers
- True Impact Dance and Performing Arts
Indoor Activities
After the tree lighting, festivities move inside the student center. Guests can enjoy refreshments by the fireplace, shop the bookstore, decorate ornaments, have a picture made with Santa-Marco and more from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29!
First Floor Activities
- Enjoy cookies, s’mores, hot chocolate and punch by the fireplace
- Have fun with our Holiday Photo Booth
- Listen to holiday story time with Ms. Marshall at 6:30 p.m. in the bookstore
- Paint holiday ornaments with the Pottery Place (first 200 ornaments are free, courtesy of the Campus Activities Board)
- Build-a-Bison ($10 for students, faculty & Staff; $20 for community members. Proceeds benefit the Campus Activities Board)
- Shop the Marshall Bookstore to earn a free gift with purchase, take advantage of a discount offer and more!
- Check in with Marshall Athletics and the Marshall University Alumni Association
Second Floor Activities
- Don’t miss the opportunity for a holiday photo with Santa-Marco!
- Students will be on-hand to help children write a mail letters to Santa
- Children can color a Marshall picture while waiting for their photo
- Stuff a stocking with items from Marshall Health and the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
- Make reindeer bait with Marshall’s School of Pharmacy
- Enjoy a holiday experience with Marshall’s Early Education STEAM Center
- Watch our student organizations compete in a Gingerbread House Building Contest

Santa-Marco’s favorite part of Herd Holiday is taking photos with the Marshall Family. If you attended Herd Holiday and had your photo taken with Santa-Marco, you can download your FREE high resolution images below.
If you couldn’t join us in person this year, check out a few fun, digital options you can try from home. Look for our Instagram stickers to add a little Marshall cheer to your social posts and stories. Download Marco’s holiday card or choose the customizable PDF option to add your own photo and message. Then, email or print to share with your friends and family.
Virtual Santa-Marco
Printable Holiday Card
Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
The Division of Student Affairs has challenged a few of our campus organizations in a friendly gingerbread decorating contest during Herd Holiday. Cheer them on in the Don Morris Room during the event on Nov. 29.
Participate from Home
We would love to see gingerbread creations from our entire Marshall Family! Take a photo of your Herd Holiday inspired gingerbread house and post it to social media using #HerdHoliday and tag @MarshallU! Don’t forget to make sure your post is public so we can see it.
Herd Holiday Coloring Book
Download, print and color our Herd Holiday Coloring Book created by the Marshall University Foundation. Show us your masterpieces by posting them on social media using #HerdHoliday and tag @MarshallU! Don’t forget to make sure your post is public so we can see it.
Make Reindeer Food
Join the Marshall University School of Pharmacy in making Reindeer Bait for Christmas Eve!
DIY Candy Cane Ornaments
Make a DIY candy cane ornament with student teachers from our College of Education and Professional Development!
Dr. Marco’s Scavenger Hunt
Join Marshall Health, the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Dr. Marco for a fun, holiday scavenger hunt!
Holiday Readings
Holiday Music
Are you looking for the perfect gifts for all of the Herd Fans on your list this holiday season? Shop the Marshall University Bookstore Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. or online at marshallustore.com.
Don’t forget to follow @MarshallU on Facebook and Instagram through December 24 for chances to win some of #MarcosFavoriteThings!
Shop Online
Can’t make it to the store this year? No problem! Shop online at marshallustore.com.
Marco’s Favorite Things
Marco is celebrating the holiday season by sharing a few of his favorite things! Follow @MarshallU on Facebook and Instagram Dec. 1- 24 to find out how you can win #MarcosFavoriteThings!
Recipes from Past Marco’s Favorite Things

Marco is celebrating the holiday season by sharing a few of his favorite things! Follow @MarshallU on Facebook and Instagram Dec. 1- 24 to find out how you can win! #MarcosFavoriteThings
2023 Marco’s Favorite Things Contest Winners
Week One: Brooxanna Cooper
Week Two: Elise Korten
Week Three: Audrey Cavender
Week Four: Angela Marks
Are you a contest winner? Contact socialmedia@marshall.edu for details.