University of Rochester - Traditions

Traditions

UR features several traditional events throughout the year with diverse history.

• ArtAwake brings students and community members together for a day of art and music.
• The Boar's Head Dinner began in 1934 and continues as an annual event.
• Convocation celebrates the start of the academic year and provides the opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to come together. The ceremony opens with a processional by faculty and administrators in traditional regalia, features presentation of the Goergen Awards for contributions to undergraduate education, and is accompanied by a picnic, activities fair and performances.
• Dandelion Day, colloquially known as D-Day, is a day late in the spring semester that was established as an annual respite around final exams with extensive celebrations, often accompanied by a carnival and musical guests. Previous years have featured Super Mash Bros, Reel Big Fish, Eve 6, Talib Kweli, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. OK Go performed in 2010.
• Mela is an annual event held late in the spring semester celebrating South Asian culture and dance. The tradition has been a significant showcase for the University and Rochester Community since 1986.
• Meliora Weekend is celebrated in early October during a weekend around the University anniversary, combining class reunions, homecoming, family weekend, and a regatta. Past speakers include Amartya Sen, Anderson Cooper, Stephen Colbert, Colin Powell, United States Secretary of Energy and University of Rochester alumnus Steven Chu, Sanjay Gupta, and Bill Clinton.
• A Pillow Fight occurs annually on the academic quad at the conclusion of the spring semester .
• Wilson Day is day of community service for all incoming university students which include working on neighborhood picnics, voter registrations, painting, landscaping, meal service, and various other service efforts in the community.
• Winterfest Weekend takes place early in the second semester and helps celebrate the snowy Rochester winters. Highlights of the weekend include comedic performances (previous comedians include Demetri Martin, B.J. Novak and Michael Ian Black), sleigh rides and ice skating.
• Yellowjacket Weekend occurs at the beginning of the fall semester and is a celebration of school spirit culminating in a football game with crosstown rival St. John Fisher College.