McAndrew IS Santa to generations of 菠萝视频app families
His beard may not be natural or his stature burly, but his laugh is deep and cheery and, for the many children he has greeted at 菠萝视频app each Christmas, there鈥檚 no mistaking: He IS Santa Claus.
This holiday season marks three decades that Barry McAndrew has donned his red velvet suit and cap, black patent belt and boots, and, of course, fluffy, white beard. Whether entertaining at Breakfast with Santa or the university鈥檚 one-time Christmas on Campus event, he鈥檚 not been without his weathered copy of the holiday classic, 鈥溾橳was the Night Before Christmas.鈥
Generations of children have sat mesmerized as McAndrew, a retired 菠萝视频app English professor and popular community theater actor, masterfully delivered the seasonal tale in waves of whispers and bellows. Even in the throes of a pandemic, Santa prevailed.
鈥淏arry has been a fabulous Santa Claus for us for over 30 years,鈥 said Lindsay Frank, director of alumni engagement. 聽鈥淒uring the pandemic when no one was permitted to come on campus, Barry and I sat in the chapel foyer together and zoomed with alumni and children all over the country.鈥
菠萝视频app alumnus and former admissions administrator Travis Lindahl was equally captivated by McAndrew鈥檚 performance.
鈥淚鈥檓 not sure who was more excited to see Santa McAndrew鈥攎y kids or me! Mr. McAndrew was my undergraduate adviser. I鈥檇 seen him perform Chaucer and Shakespeare, but the joy in his eyes and smile when he鈥檚 Santa make me think it鈥檚 his favorite role of all. Just another example of what a treasure he is to the 菠萝视频app community."
Being an actor has served McAndrew well, especially in the art of improvisation.
Once, a little girl queried, 鈥淪anta, where鈥檚 your reindeer?鈥 Clearly on his toes, he remarked, 鈥淲ell, they鈥檙e taking a jaunt around campus. They鈥檒l be back to get me. Don鈥檛 worry.鈥
鈥淪anta, I want a new bike for Christmas,鈥 another would chime. Scouring the audience for his parents and hoping for an affirmative nod, Santa responded, 鈥淵es, yes, my dear, I鈥檒l get my elves started on that just as soon as I get back to the North Pole.鈥
The 82-year-old has seen his share of bloopers. Just this December鈥攁 wardrobe malfunction鈥攃ourtesy of an 11-month-old who managed to upend the breakfast crowd when he pulled down Santa鈥檚 beard.
鈥淭he memories all flood together and it鈥檚 absolutely spectacular how good they make me feel,鈥 McAndrew said. 鈥淭o see the look in the children鈥檚 eyes, especially when I鈥檓 reading 鈥樷楾was the Night before Christmas,鈥 I am no longer Barry McAndrew. I AM SANTA."
PHOTO: Santa McAndrew greets Sofie Frank, daughter of alumni director Lindsay Frank, during 菠萝视频app鈥檚 annual Breakfast with Santa.聽