AZ Nativity Receives National Coverage

In December 2013, Alpha Zeta members will be showcased on the cover of Progressive Dairyman, a national magazine for forward-thinking dairy producers.

The magazine recently sent Pennsylvania photographer Bob Ferguson to take pictures of the 2012 live nativity scene, organized by 2012 Chancellor Nathan Ulmer.

This coordination transpired because of a photo of the nativity scene from 2011 that AZ alum Dan Hartzell (’12) sent into the magazine’s Proud to Dairy network.

“We typically feature a cover for our December issue that reflects the true meaning of the Christmas season,” says Progressive Dairyman Editor Walt Cooley. “When I saw Dan’s photo, I thought it would be great to re-create the picture and feature it in 2013.”

Alpha Zeta members set up the live nativity scene as part of Penn State’s Interfraternity and Panhellenic Council Annual Holiday Lights Tour on December 6. Each year, the tour begins on Burrowes Street and features more than 20 decorated houses. Families are able to take a trolley to view houses.

Alpha Zeta members offered free hot chocolate and cookies to anyone who passed by their display.

This was the second year for the live nativity scene, the creation of which was a group effort in 2011.

“I built the nativity scene with straw I borrowed from Dustin Gates’ farm and leftover lumber from the Homecoming float,” Hartzell said. “The pine roof came from trimmings from a local golf course, courtesy of alumnus Dan Frechen.”

“Costumes were made by purchasing a few yards of several different types of fabric from a local craft store and were supplemented with twine for belts and decorative cords to make the headdresses,” continued Ulmer. “Trophies from the fraternity’s extensive collection were used to represent the myrrh, frankincense and gold.”

Ulmer even provided a calf for both the live nativity scene and the photo shoot from his family’s dairy in nearby Bellefonte.

“There were some amusing moments when the baby calf was referred to by passersby as anything from a dog to a pig to a sheep,” he said. “We spend as much time educating the public about agriculture as we do getting them to remember what Christmas is really about.”

Hartzell and Ulmer both report nothing but positive feedback from the community and even local leaders.

“Last year, State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham herself stopped by and talked with us for the better part of an hour about how impressed she was with the initiative we had showed,” Ulmer said.

“The director of student affairs thanked us by email for being a light in the State College community and wished us a Merry Christmas, not the politically correct ‘Happy Holidays,'” Hartzell said.

Watch for more information about this cover image in December 2013. Those interested in subscribing to Progressive Dairyman can do so for free at www.progressivedairy.com or by contacting AZ alumna Emily Caldwell at [email protected].