College Traditions Matter: The Rituals That Shape the Student Experience
When students and their families embark on the college search, they’re bombarded with a ton of factors to consider: financial aid, campus safety, mental health support, academics, athletics, and so on. But when we ask alumni why they chose their school or what they loved most about it, one thing consistently stands out: student traditions.
These fun, quirky, and often unexpected rituals play a huge role in shaping the college experience, yet they often get overlooked in college and university marketing materials and admission events, so students only discover them during freshman orientation—or even later, once they’ve already settled in.
But if they’re so memorable long after graduation, wouldn’t you want prospective students to hear about them? We’ve got some marketing ideas down below for you.
But first, just for fun, here are a few college traditions from some CCA-ers’ alma maters. They’re as unforgettable as they are entertaining (but don’t worry, we’re skipping the R-rated ones… my mom reads this blog!).
Mr. Siena
Each year, the Habitat for Humanity club at Siena College hosts an annual fundraising event that crowns one lucky student “Mr. Siena.” This all-male beauty pageant and talent show is a celebration of school spirit, featuring choreographed group dances, comedy, singing, skits, and any other talents the student competitors bring to the stage. In 2024, Siena crowned their 20th Mr. Siena! (Fun fact: Dan & Lauren are both proud Siena alums.)
Touchdown
At James Madison University, Morgan’s alma mater, students throw purple and gold streamers after JMU’s first touchdown at home football games. It’s a picture-perfect tradition—and a lot safer than its origin. Back in the 1980s, students threw toilet paper rolls onto the basketball court after JMU scored its first basket. By the early 2000s, the tradition had migrated to Bridgeforth Stadium, giving students a safer (and bigger) way to show—and throw!—their school spirit.
Painting the Cannon
Tufts University is home to a replica of “Old Ironsides,” an original cannon from the USS Constitution that was gifted to the university in 1956. Students can paint the cannon to promote a club, share big news, post birthday messages, propose marriage, or just for fun. But there’s a catch: it can only be done at night, and students must guard their artwork until dawn—or risk someone painting over their message. Here’s Tufts grad Melissa F. painting the cannon years after graduation (yes, she broke the nighttime rule, but it was blank!).
Burn, Baby, Burn
Since 1956, one of the most beloved traditions at the University of Miami, Kelly’s old stomping ground, has been the annual Boat Burning & Fireworks Show on Lake Osceola during Homecoming Weekend. Legend has it that if the mast falls before the boat sinks, the Miami Hurricanes will win their Homecoming football game the next day.
Lobsterfest
Every spring, Union College students don lobster bibs and line up for the ultimate feast at the annual Lobsterfest. The menu includes whole lobsters, watermelon, corn on the cob, and more. For some students, it’s their first time tackling the challenge of cracking open a lobster—which leads to some very entertaining moments. (Thankfully, L was already a pro.)
How to Promote Traditions to Prospective Students and Families
So how can a college or university showcase these exciting, fun, and community-building traditions to prospective students and families? Here are a few ideas:
- Tell the story behind each tradition on your website, highlighting how it represents the school’s values, history, or community spirit.
- Use student voices. Ask current students and alumni to share their favorite traditions through video posts on social media and on your website.
- Frame traditions as college-defining experiences. Make sure your admissions team is aligned on messaging when it comes to traditions in general; talk about how they contribute to a sense of belonging and help students grow outside the classroom.
- Incorporate traditions into the admissions process. Highlight them during info sessions, campus tours, admissions interviews, and in emails, print pieces, and other touchpoints.
- Let prospective students get a preview—or even the chance to participate. Include mini versions of your traditions at Open House events and/or Accepted Student Days. For select admits, consider inviting them to the actual event.
If your college or university needs more ideas for marketing your campus traditions—or wants our help creating some new ones that reflect your values and history—give us a shout!