Allison Dolan-Wilson, VP of Institutional Advancement

Allison Dolan-Wilson, vice president of institutional advancement, rewrote the traditional classic, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”, customizing it for a Northern Essex audience. She shared her rendition at the virtual holiday party for faculty and staff on Dec. 10.

’Twas the night before vacation week and all through the campus,

Not a single soul was stirring, ‘cuz the task force wouldn’t let us.

The signage was hung by the student center with care,

In hopes that more students soon would be there.

The faculty were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of zoom best practices danced in their heads.

And the Knight in his armor, and I in my mask,

Had just settled our brains and finished our last task.

When out on the quad there arose such a clatter,

Half the police academy ran out, to see what was the matter.

Away to the windows the VPs flew like a flash,

And hoped there wasn’t a gathering or other holiday bash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,

Left Mike happy with the shoveling work below.

When what to our wondering eyes should appear,

But dozens of faculty and staff (socially distanced to be clear).

With spirit and can-do, so lively and quick,

We knew in a moment this wasn’t a trick.

More excited and energized than bunnies they came,

They whistled and shouted and congratulated each other by name.

Go, Sarah – Go, Hilce, Go Heather and Danny!

Go, Nancy – go, Jonathan, Go Kelly and Courtney!

To the top of our game to the top of our field,

Our brilliance and creativity is something we wield!

As tired students at the end of finals fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, never ask why.

So back to their home offices they flew,

With a head full of ideas, and some candy canes too.

And then in a twinkling we heard on the roof,

Was it prancing and pawing of tiny little hoofs?

As we drew in our heads, and were turning around,

We realized it was just the duct cleaners making that sound…

They were dressed all in plastic from head to foot,

And their clothes were all tarnished in dust bunnies and soot.

A bundle of tubes were flung on their back,

And we knew we needed to leave and quickly set to pack.

Our eyes how they twinkled, our feelings so merry,

Our teams were all awesome, our students so very.

Our year was closing out, tied up like a bow,

And our thoughts and our ducks were mostly in a row…

Holiday treats were held tight in our teeth,

And happy thoughts encircled our heads like a wreath.

Our community came together like a belt on a belly,

And everyone partnered up like peanut butter and jelly.

There were hits and some misses we’ll keep on the shelf,

And we’ll laugh and move on in spite of ourself.

A wink of Lane’s eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave us to know, we had nothing to dread.

We all filled our duties and did excellent work,

We all basically wore pajamas, a work from home perk.

Don’t lay your finger aside of your nose,

COVID is catchy keep your hands in repose.

We sprung to our cars, to our teams gave a whistle,

And started vacation like the down of a thistle.

But you’ll hear us exclaim, as we drive out sight,

Happy Holidays to all, you all rock day and night!