Decorated elegantly in a style that married contemporary class and historical charm, University President Judith Rodin's home was crowded with students eager to sample the array of intricately prepared desserts offered at her annual Student Holiday Party last night.
"This is a great opportunity for as many people as possible to celebrate and get to know one another," Rodin said.
Despite the festivity of the party, the general mood was bittersweet, as it was Rodin's last opportunity to host the regular event.
"It's strange and very sentimental," she said.
Students said they share her mixed feelings.
"It is kind of sad and sudden because [Rodin's final year] has gone by really quickly," Wharton sophomore Li Ma said.
Though some students came to say their farewells to the outgoing administrator, for others, the party provided a diversion from schoolwork.
"This is a great break from studying," College senior Kara Lindstrom said.
Anthony Giuliano, a College junior and a member of the Penn Glee Club -- which sang Christmas carols for the partygoers -- commented on the warm and open tone of the event.
"It shows our president's personality and how she wants to reach out to everybody," he said.
Rodin herself spent the evening conversing with students, many of whom had the opportunity to speak to her for the first time.
"I think it's great that Dr. Rodin was so open to talking to as many people as possible," Nursing junior Susan McCall said. "It was wonderful to finally meet her after hearing so much about her."
Other students were taken in by the striking decor and unique buffet of desserts.
"I really liked the room theme idea," Nursing sophomore Shally Iyer said. "They made it fun with the unique color schemes."
Wharton sophomore Joe Kiesel agreed that the decorations were his favorite part of the night. "They definitely go through great lengths to be different than last year," he said.
Each room of the home on Walnut Street was adorned in a different holiday color. The white room featured miniature sugar cookies and hot chocolate. The green room was a medley of tropical plants and evergreens, complete with matching green mint-flavored cookies.
The red room featured raspberry sorbet, poinsettias and a working fireplace. However, by far the most ornate was the gold room, with its floating candles, glittering tassels and rich banana bread.
The party was styled by the Catering by Design Company, which has decorated for the event the past three years.
