The 20 Best College Traditions In The US

Each college has beloved traditions that students have kept alive through the years.

We’ve put together a list of the best college traditions from around the country. Some of these—like the Dartmouth Winter Carnival—are loved by students and school officials alike. However, traditions such as the Mirror Lake Jump at Ohio State are enjoyed much more by students than faculty.

Cornell Dragon Day at Cornell University

When: Every March

Year it began: Sometime between 1897 and 1901

The tradition of Dragon Day goes back more than one hundred years. Every March, first-year architecture students band together to build a massive dragon, which they parade across campus. The dragon then “battles” with a large phoenix, built by engineering students.

Spirit Splash at the University of Central Florida

When: End of October

Year it began: 1995

For Spirit Splash, students at the University of Central Florida rush into the campus’s Reflecting Pond to celebrate homecoming weekend. The tradition started in 1995 when someone pushed the student body president into the pond. Spirit Splash won the “Best Campus Tradition” award from the National Association for Campus Activities.

THON Weekend at Pennsylvania State University

When: Every February

Year it began: 1973

THON Weekend is 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon that takes place every February at Penn State. The marathon is for a good cause, with a majority of the proceeds going toward the Four Diamonds Fund to fight pediatric cancer. THON has raised more than $ 114 million for the cause since the tradition began in 1977.

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The 20 Best College Traditions In The US