Celebrate Hamline Traditions
Traditions and milestones to enhance your college journey
As Minnesota’s first university, Hamline has many vibrant traditions for you to participate in throughout the year. It's one of the perks of a small university, there are so many ways Hamline enriches your college experience beyond the classroom.
Fall traditions
Matriculation
At the beginning of every fall semester, Hamline faculty and staff, along with the incoming class of Pipers, come together as a community to mark the beginning of the academic year and share in what makes Pipers exceptional. The ceremony is ended with the Piper Boogie and inviting students to step onto the field to sign their names in the Matriculation Book.
Piper Boogie
To celebrate your arrival on campus for your first semester, on the first night of fall orientation, the new student mentors (NSMs) and resident assistants (RAs) perform a choreographed dance.
Paint Bucket Rivalry
Since 1887, Hamline has had a football rivalry with Macalester College, which was immortalized with the paint bucket trophy in 1969 by Hamline alumnus Chuck Slocum. After the big rivalry game each year, the trophy—complete with the scores from all of the games—resides at the winning school until next year’s game.
Lip Sync Contest
For more than a decade, a cornerstone of Homecoming Week has been our Lip Sync Contest. So pick a song, grab a friend, and “belt out” a number in front of rapt and applauding Pipers.
Family and Friends Weekend
Undoubtedly, you will create many fond memories during your time at Hamline. You can share some of those experiences with the people closest to you over Family and Friends Weekend. The weekend features a variety of events that you can attend, including athletic events, academic panels, a concert of Hamline music ensembles, and more family-friendly entertainment.
Lighting of the Tree
Minnesota can get quite cold and chilly during the winter, so Hamline likes to spread some warmth and holiday cheer—complete with delicious, rich hot chocolate—with our annual Lighting of the Tree event.
Spring traditions
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration
Every year in January, the Hedgeman Center hosts a commemorative event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s leadership during the civil rights movement.
Social Justice Symposium
Every year, during the first week of April, the Hedgeman Center hosts the Social Justice Symposium, which features discussions about social justice issues that affect our campus as well as local and national communities.
Catalyst Alternative Spring Break
Spring break is often a time to relax and recharge, but some Pipers also choose to use this time as a learning opportunity by traveling to locations such as Arizona and Puerto Rico. Catalyst alternative spring breaks provide you with the opportunity to explore issues such as food justice, immigration and refugee rights, environmental justice, interfaith collaboration, community building, and more.
Dressing the Bishop
The statue of Bishop Leonidas Lent Hamline, the university’s founding benefactor, is a campus landmark. Throughout the year, Pipers often dress the Bishop in costumes and clothing to celebrate holidays and promote events on campus. One of the most popular outfits that Pipers dress the Bishop in is a cap and gown for Commencement.
Year-round traditions
Paws for Peers
We are paws-ititve that there are a few things that a dog cannot make better. That is why we invite a pack of lovable pooches to the Bush Memorial Library throughout the academic year to deliver encouraging cuddles.
Late-Night Breakfast
The Thursday before finals week, Hamline faculty and staff serve delicious breakfast food and hand out exciting prizes to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety of finals.
