Traditions

First Year
Spring First-Year Transition Event
The goal of this event is to help the first-years learn about the range of academic opportunities and support available to them as they transition to their sophomore year.  In the past this event has been put together with help from the Alumnae Association, Dean of Students Office, Academic Affairs, CDC, CGI, and many other departments on campus.

Sophomore Year
Cakes and Cookies
The sophomore class of Mount Holyoke runs a fundraiser each year by selling cakes and cookies to relatives and friends of Mount Holyoke students for their birthdays.  The options include both traditional cakes as well as large (14-inch) cookies.  The cookies, available in chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin, have an iced message on top.  Either item can be delivered to the bell desk in the student’s hall on the requested day.  Cakes and cookies are delivered only during the academic year. The Cakes and Cookies order form is available in pdf version.

Sophomore Orientation
The Sophomore Orientation differs slightly each year, focusing on the needs of each individual sophomore class.  The event is typically held within the first two months of the fall semester to start the sophomores out on the right track.  The Sophomore Orientation is put on in conjunction with the Alumnae Association, Dean of Students Office, Academic Affairs, CDC, CGI, and many other departments on campus.  This year the theme was “More for Sophomores,” and focused on deciding majors, minors, opportunities abroad and in the US, as well as examining other resources on campus and in the community.

Elfing
During October, sophomores become “elves” and leave little gifts for the first-year students. Each sophomore anonymously “elfs” a first-year student for several days until they reveal their identities at a party or special M&C’s at the end of the week.

Sophomore Retreat
The Sophomore Retreat is a newer event at Mount Holyoke.  It has been held two out of the past three years and focuses on connecting the students with departments and faculty on campus as well as to build off of the events of the Sophomore Orientation.  The faculty and staff members who attend the event provide counseling and connection in both academic and student life arena to help to combat “Sophomore Slump.”  The retreat is an evening full of helpful conversations, small group activity, as well as food, games, movies, and other relaxing events.

Semi Formal
The semi formal is traditionally held in February when the students get back from Winter Break.  Each year the theme changes and it is a great chance for everyone to get dressed up and enjoy a special night with their friends without having to leave campus.

Ring Ceremony
The ring ceremony is a special event held in the spring semester where sophomores who ordered class rings are presented with them in a special ceremony celebrating their classmates and themselves.  Everyone is welcomed to attend this event and all sophomores in attendance will be honored in some way.

Blood Drives
The blood drives are a sophomore tradition that are held in conjunction with the Red Cross.  Traditionally, the Red Cross comes to campus approximately 3-4 times a year and offers the Mount Holyoke Community the opportunity to help the greater community out by donating blood.

Junior Year
Big/Little Sister
This is a well-established tradition at Mount Holyoke. An incoming first-year student is joined by a member of the junior class. First-year students are escorted to convocation by their big sisters; during the year the big sisters offer advice and support to their little sisters on campus issues.

Convocation
The College community traditionally gathers for convocations to mark the official start of each academic semester. The College President welcomes new students, faculty, and staff, and gives thoughts on the upcoming academic year.  The junior class board ushers in all of the students and guests.

Junior Banquet
The Junior Banquet offers juniors the opportunity to talk to alumnae and faculty to get clarity about what the future holds.  It is a great chance to connect with Alumnae and faculty and hear stories about their experiences. It also offers juniors the opportunity to get advice for post graduation plans and for what leads up to graduation.  Typically this event is held in the Abbey Buckland Dining Room over a special dinner.

Junior Show
The junior class traditionally stages its own show to entertain the College, usually during the last weekend in February. Over the years returning alumnae have been known to sing, even twenty to thirty years after the event, the songs from their show. The closing night is junior/senior night, generally followed by a party for the two classes.

Senior Year
Pub Nights
Pub Nights offer a great chance for seniors to unwind and socialize with other members of their class.  They are held several times a year and there is often a special theme each night or fun activity.

Founders Day
Founder's Day is a day of celebrating the founding of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary and honoring Mary Lyon and her living legacy. Held on the Sunday nearest to November 8, the date the Seminary opened in 1837; it is a day for reflection and respect. Begun by President Elizabeth Storrs Mead in 1891, this is one of Mount Holyoke College's oldest traditions. In the 1920s, early morning ice cream became a part of the Founder's Day tradition.  The senior class board invites special guests to come speak and serve ice cream to the College community.

Disorientation
This event provides an opportunity for first-year students and seniors to get to know each other. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for seniors to develop a supportive and friendly atmosphere among themselves and with the first-year students. This event involves a series of fun and varied activities that take place over the course of four to six days in the fall semester.

Finals Care Packages
The senior class of Mount Holyoke runs a fundraiser each year by selling care packages to relatives and friends of Mount Holyoke students during the fall and spring finals time.  These packages are full of goodies from Atkins Farms Market and are put together lovingly by the senior class board and helpers from other class boards. A Final Exam Care Package order form is available in pdf version.

Senior Class Gift
A special tradition at Mount Holyoke, this annual program is conducted by members of the senior class. A team of representatives from the residence halls, headed by the class agents, raises donations from the senior class for its gift to the College. The head class agents, who consult with a member of the Office of Development, plans the personalized campaign, chooses the dorm representatives, and creates materials (letters, posters, articles) that inform the seniors and the entire campus of the gift.  (If a senior doesn’t give, she doesn’t have the opportunity to vote on the class gift.) Participation, rather than the amount of each gift, is stressed throughout the campaign.

Champagne and Strawberries
This event, sponsored by the Alumnae Association, welcomes members of the senior class as Mount Holyoke’s newest alumnae and celebrates their last day of classes.