23 unique traditions Virginia colleges keep alive
From painted rocks and mud volleyball to black-tie dances, Virginia’s colleges uphold unique traditions that bring campus communities together year after year.
Virginia’s colleges and universities aren’t just known for their rigorous academics, but also the many traditions that make their campus communities so cohesive. From painting rocks to pumpkin parades, these 23 unique rituals bring together students for unforgettable moments.
1. Hollins University’s The Rock
The Rock at Hollins University in Roanoke is a cherished campus landmark, serving as a canvas that only seniors can paint with colorful messages. The large chunk of shale was given a much-needed restoration a few years back after nearly 40 years of paint buildup.
2. Virginia Tech’s Enter Standman
The playing of “Enter Sandman” by the heavy metal band Metallica as the Virginia Tech football team enters the field at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg has been a tradition since 2000. The tradition became more elaborate in 2001 after a Marching Virginians band member started jumping up and down during the song. Accompanied by his band mates, the tradition was quickly picked up by students who still jump up and down to the song to this day.
3. Randolph College’s Pumpkin Parade
The Pumpkin Parade is a cherished Randolph College tradition in which sophomores create jack-o’-lanterns for seniors to carry as they make their way across the Lynchburg campus, singing songs of school spirit. The fall event also features the college president singing a Randolph-themed parody of a pop song to the senior class.
4. University of Virginia’s The Lawn
The Lawn is a coveted post on the University of Virginia’s Charlottesville campus. In fact, students jockey for the honor of residing in a room on the Lawn each year. To secure a spot, students must be selected by a panel of current fourth-year students who deem underclassmen worthy of getting a room along the Lawn based on their academic performance and service to the university.
5. Old Dominion University’s Rub the Belly
Those in need of good luck at Old Dominion University often turn to the bronze statue of the university mascot, Big Blue, in the lobby of the Webb Center. All they need to do is Rub the Belly.
6. Old Dominion University’s Dominion Rock
Although it’s only been on Old Dominion University’s Norfolk campus since 2017, painting Dominion Rock has quickly become a cherished tradition. Students and groups regularly paint the rock to celebrate their school spirit, advertise events, and give birthday shout-outs.
7. University of Virginia’s College at Wise’s Cavs Gap
The Cavs Gap tradition at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise represents a full-circle moment for students, a symbolic walk that represents both a student’s entry into the college and exit. During convocation, new students walk through Cavs Gap at the David J. Prior Center as they’re officially welcomed into the campus community and take the honor code pledge. Similarly, graduating students walk through Cavs Gap as they conclude their time on campus.
8. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Touch the Ram Horns
At Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, new students don’t become official Rams until they have participated in the Touch the Ram Horns tradition. During orientation, new students get to rub the ram horns, an interactive cast bronze and stainless steel 14-foot-tall and 3,500-pound sculpture, and make a wish.
9. Virginia Wesleyan University’s Late Night Breakfast
Who doesn’t like breakfast for dinner on occasion? At Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, having a Late Night Breakfast has turned into a tradition where students enjoy bacon, eggs, and biscuits each fall and spring ahead of the start of final exams. Faculty and staff pitch in to cook and serve the food. To further help students relax, the event includes music, games, and activities.
10. Roanoke College’s Kicking Post
Roanoke College students seeking a little extra luck turn to the Kicking Post, a three-foot cement obelisk that was installed on the Salem campus over 100 years ago after a student nearly ran over a professor. While intended to block cars, the post quickly turned into a cherished campus tradition. When in need of good luck, students simply give the post a swift kick.
11. Radford University’s Halfway There: Sophomore Celebration
Towards the end of the spring semester, sophomores at Radford University gather around The Fountain at the Radford campus to celebrate the achievement of reaching the halfway mark in their academic careers during the Halfway There: Sophomore Celebration tradition. The sophomores receive challenge coins that contain wisdom and well-wishes from students who came before them, which they can then toss into The Fountain.
12. James Madison University’s Little Jimmy
A trip to James Madison University’s Harrisonburg campus wouldn’t be complete without a photo standing next to Little Jimmy, a statue of the namesake of the university. At 5 feet 4 inches, the statue is perfectly to scale.
13. George Mason University’s Dressing Up George
It’s hard to miss the statue of George Mason that’s prominently displayed in the Wilkins Plaza at George Mason University’s Fairfax campus. But instead of being solemnly revered, the statue is a lively member of the campus community, as evidenced by the Dressing Up George tradition. The statue is often decorated by students wanting to celebrate achievements or raise awareness about on-campus events. During major events, such as Homecoming and College Colors Day, the statue is adorned with university gear or green and gold balloons. During graduation, it even sports the same green mortarboard hat that undergraduates wear. The statue also serves as the perfect backdrop for graduation photos.
14. George Mason University’s The Lucky Toe
The same statue at George Mason University plays a role in The Lucky Toe tradition, which consists of current students rubbing the toe of the left foot of the bronze statue on their way to class before handing in an important paper or taking an exam. Prospective students also rub the toe while on campus tours in the hopes of being admitted to the university. Given the popularity of the tradition, the toe required reinforcement to protect it from erosion.
15. Longwood University’s Oozeball
Oozeball is the sport of choice at Longwood University in Farmville during Spring Weekend each year. It’s a combination of volleyball and lots of mud. Instead of holding the tournament on a regulation volleyball court, it’s held in a mud pit.
16. Longwood University’s Color Wars
During Longwood University’s Oktoberfest, students participate in Color Wars, a tradition that has students line up based on their class. Students who entered the university in odd years are assigned green, while those who entered in even years are assigned red. During the event, students are given plastic cups filled with Paint. From there, they get to fling paint on their fellow students. The mixing of the green and the red forms a blue color, signifying the brand color of the university.
17. Washington and Lee University’s Fancy Dress
Washington and Lee University in Lexington thrives on tradition and etiquette. This sentiment is perhaps best illustrated by the annual Fancy Dress tradition, a black-tie event that dates to 1907 when a librarian held a costume party for students. Over the years, the winter semester event has grown in popularity and funding. Notably, each year has a unique theme, with the 2010 “Moulin Rouge” theme being one of the flashiest.
18. University of Mary Washington’s Lip Sync
Lip Sync is a can’t-miss tradition during homecoming week at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. The event consists of students, either individually or in groups, giving a lip sync performance in front of the student body. Given the popularity of the event, the front row of the Dodd Auditorium is highly coveted, meaning students line up hours in advance to secure their seats.
19. Sweet Briar College’s Scream Night
Who doesn’t like to blow off a little steam after lots of hard work? At Sweet Briar College, students gather in the quad at 10 p.m. the night before 12-week exams commence for Scream Night to release their stress by screaming when the bell chimes. Afterwards, students enjoy some study snacks.
20. College of William and Mary’s Last Day of Classes
The end of the spring semester is a celebration each year at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. The Last Day of Classes tradition involves seniors lining up to ring the ceremonial Wren Bell after completing their final class. The celebration also includes a party in the Sunken Garden with live bands, games, and food, including tacos and late-night pancakes.
21. Christopher Newport University’s The Penny
The Penny tradition at Christopher Newport University in Newport News represents a bit of a full-circle experience for students. When they start their academic careers at the university, they receive a penny after signing the honor code during convocation. After years of hard work and adherence to the honor code, they get to toss their pennies into the Geese Fountain during their commencement ceremony. To explain the symbolism of the tradition, the late associate provost and English professor Dr. Tracey Schwarze wrote a dedication that explained, “This penny is but a small tribute to the spirit of honor of all those who learn and lead here.”
22. Mary Baldwin University’s Apple Day
Mary Baldwin University’s Apple Day has been celebrated continuously since 1942. The fall tradition centers around the humble apple, with students being released from their classes to go apple picking at a local orchard. Later, students participate in a festival on the campus and sample apple delicacies in the dining hall. The day isn’t just meant to be fun, but also an opportunity for students to give back to the Staunton community, as the apples they pick are donated to a local food bank.
23. Randolph-Macon College’s Fountain Turn On
Randolph-Macon College in Ashland goes all out for the arrival of spring. When spring arrives each year on the campus, the campus community gathers at the Brown Fountain Plaza to watch the fountain once again come to life. The Fountain Turn On celebration also includes uplifting remarks, food, and music. The college refers to the event as its “unofficial rite of spring.”
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