12/19/2025
'Twas the Night Before Christmas at UND
with apologies to Clement Moore
by Dr. Tami Carmichael
*first performed at UND Theatre's 'A Cozy Christmas Cabaret'*
'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through Grand Forks,
Not a creature was stirring, not even the Hawks;
The jerseys were hung in the Ralph with great care,
In hopes that a championship soon would be theirs.
Students were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of spring semester danced in their heads;
President Armacost in his office so bright,
Had just settled down for a long winter's night.
When out on the quad there arose such a clatter
He sprang from his desk to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave a luster to campus and the Coulee below
When what to his wondering eyes did appear
But a snowplow with presents and some faculty dear.
With a driver so lively, so spirited and quick,
Andy immediately knew that it must be St. Nick!
More powerful than Fighting Hawks breaking away
the snowplow came coursing and he heard Santa say:
"Now Munski! Now Jeff Carmichael! Now Emily Cherry!
On Darland! On Gjellstad--Let's all make merry!
From the Fritz parking lot to Wilkerson Hall
Now plow away, plow away, plow away all!"
Santa stopped first at Burtness Theatre, that stage so divine,
Where performers had practiced each movement and line;
Then off to the Union where students convene
The most festive Memorial Hall ever seen!
And then in a twinkling, students heard near the door,
The scraping of snow and the plow's mighty roar.
Santa burst into Starbucks with presents handy
For Fighting Hawks faithful, and Union staff dandy.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Left gifts for all Hawks, and then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, to his snowplow he rose.
He sprang to his seat, he gave a loud whistle
And away they all sped like a hockey puck's missile.
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight
"Happy Christmas to UND!
And to all Grand Forks a good night!"
