SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word's 28th annual Light the Way event took place Saturday night despite the heavy rain.
This year's celebration is called "A Cardinals Christmas" in honor of the 10th anniversary of the university's mascot.
KSAT 12's Ursula Pari and Steve Spriester were the emcees for the evening.
The campus will stay illuminated nightly through Jan. 6.
Along with the actual Light the Way event, there was also a big surprise for a UIW faculty member.
The university helped Sgt. Ashley Sanchez surprise her mother.
"I'm very excited to see my mom, she's my best friend, so I'm very excited to see her," said Sanchez.
It had been about eight months since the two had seen each other before Saturday night.
Sanchez's mother has worked at UIW for 10 years and is retiring this year.
Unfortunately for the family, it will be a quick visit as Sanchez will head back to Washington Sunday.