Traditions
When you’re the nation’s oldest institution of higher learning for women, it’s only fitting to have some treasured traditions. As a student, you’ll quickly discover that the College’s traditions bring the community closer together and create some of your most memorable Mount Holyoke moments.
Family and Friends Weekend
A weekend in October for family and friends to experience the beautiful Mount Holyoke campus, culture of academic excellence and vibrant cocurricular life.
Mountain Day
A College tradition since 1838. Classes are cancelled and students are invited to climb (or ride) to the Summit House atop Mount Holyoke.
Founder's Day
On Founder’s Day, Mount Holyoke College raises a spoon to the bravery and vision of its founder, Mary Lyon.
Annual Vespers concerts
Held in some form on campus each December since 1899, this holiday tradition is much anticipated and reliably fills Abbey Chapel.
Pangy Day
In 1980, Pangynaskeia (now commonly called “Pangy Day”) debuted as a Mount Holyoke College tradition celebrating the “total world of women.”
The Laurel Parade
This moving ritual, which takes place during commencement weekend, marks the transition from MHC student to MHC alumna.
M&Cs (Milk and Cookies)
A long-standing College tradition enjoyed by all resident students, M&Cs is a light snack provided as a study break and social event each evening.
Big/Little Program
Siblings for life. Tracing its origins back to the early 1900s, the program pairs up a junior (the “Big”) with an incoming first-year (the “Little”).
DisOrientation
DisOrientation is an ever-evolving tradition, but at its core it serves to build camaraderie between seniors and first-year students.
Elfing
A first-year and sophomore based tradition. First-year students receive small gifts over the course of the week from a sophomore ‘Elf.’
Class Colors and Symbols
A tradition since the early 1900s, classes use a color and symbol to identify themselves at class-related activities including Convocation.
Annual Events
LEAP Symposium
An annual campus-wide event, LEAP Symposium is Mount Holyoke's premier showcase of student summer work, organized by and for Mount Holyoke students.
BOOM: Building on our Momentum
An annual learning symposium that meets participants where they are in their learning & comfort in engaging in sessions on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Hortense Parker Celebration
Named for the College's first known student of color, an event to celebrate & raise awareness of the history, struggles & achievements of women of color.
Glascock Poetry Contest
An intercollegiate event since 1924. Students are nominated by faculty members, and then judged by a panel of three distinguished poets.
Senior Symposium
Seniors share the projects, scholarly research, and intellectual passions that demonstrates depth of research and analysis during their senior year.
Annual Women of Color Conference
The Women of Color Trailblazers Leadership Conference seeks to empower self-identifying women of color across the Five Colleges, Pioneer Valley and beyond.
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