Traditions

The fall semester kicks off with Academic Convocation where words of wisdom and encouragement delivered by the reigning professor of the year. Representatives of the new first-year class and new transfer students formally present the Keuka College president with canoe paddles and acorns, and the new class is officially welcomed to Keuka College. 

Party in the Park is a collaborative event of offices across campus. This event includes the Campus Involvement Fair, Houses of Worship Carnival, the annual Shively Cup canoe races, and much more.

Green and Gold Celebration Weekend is held in September and brings together students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, families, friends, and the local community for a variety of programs, athletic contests, and special events. The entire Keuka College community engages in all that is Keuka College and creates special memories that are shared by all.

The annual semi-formal dance also takes place in the fall semester.

Bloody Trails, our very own haunted house/haunted walk through the woods, is held around the Halloween holiday season. This event was originally created and hosted in our ropes course by our TeamWorks staff. The event then passed to the Office of Housing & Residence Life, where it became Haunted Halls, various haunted house experiences in the residence halls. In recent years, Housing & Residence Life welcomed back our Adventure staff into the planning of this event and returned it to Bloody Trails. Are you ready to be scared?

The winter season convenes with Wolf Madness, an annual pep rally celebrating fall athletic teams and raising excitement for the coming basketball seasons.

Keuka College marks the end of fall semester classes and the start of exams with two events: a Christmas candlelight service in Norton Chapel, and Late-Night Breakfast, where faculty and staff come to the Geiser Dining Commons to cook and serve students.

Spring Weekend is held during one of the last weekends in April and is coordinated by the junior class. The executive board of the junior class, along with class members, choose the theme and events that will take place throughout the weekend. Past themes have included Rising High (with high elements and activities), Carnival (carnival rides, games, and food), and Color the Campus.

Perhaps the most storied of all Keuka College traditions is May Day Weekend, which includes Honors Convocation, the Leadership & Moving Up Ceremonies, the Annual Carl and Fanny Fribolin Lecture, and the awarding of Class Members of the Year. Years ago, the College staged a May Day pageant—complete with maypole—and while there is no longer a pageant, May Day Weekend is still an important part of the academic year.

A number of recognition luncheons (Student Employee of the Year, Experiential Learners of the Year) are held as the spring semester winds down, along with the Multicultural Student Association (MSA) Fashion Show and the Spring music festival, and Live on the Lake.

Senior Week and the academic year officially come to a close with baccalaureate and commencement.