news-record.com

GREENSBORO — A UNCG student has been arrested in last week's vandalism of the nativity scene at Greensboro College.

Kevin Michael Feeley, 19, was charged with injury to personal property on Friday in connection with the destruction of a life-size nativity scene that has been a Greensboro tradition for 71 years.

Feeley is listed as a resident of Ragsdale Residence Hall on the UNCG campus, according to a Greensboro police news release.

The Fiberglas and wood figures were found knocked over, broken and smashed beyond repair on the morning of Dec. 8.

"I'm certainly pleased that they have found the person responsible for it, if this is the person," said Craven Williams , president of Greensboro College. "We truly regret that the actions of one person have deprived people of a Christmas tradition we've enjoyed in Greensboro for 71 years."

The figures — which include Joseph and Mary on the road to Bethlehem, the inn and the manger scene — were first displayed at the Pilot Life Insurance Co. Sedgefield office in 1936. They have been on display on the college's lawn at 815 W. Market St. every Christmas since 1990. Thousands of visitors make viewing the nativity scene part of their annual Christmas routine, according to college officials.

Since the vandalism, many have come forward to donate money toward a new nativity scene.

College officials said each piece in the scene would have to be recreated individually. The school paid $5,000 to have the Joseph figure rebuilt after it was stolen in 1996.

A sign reading "Peace on Earth" with a symbol of the nativity made of timbers from the original has replaced the display this year.

The investigation is ongoing, police said late Sunday. Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 373-1000.

Contact Joe Killian at 883-4422, Ext. 228, or jkillian@news-record.com