Fredonia Traditions
Fall Events
Welcome Week | Join The Spectrum Programming Board as they welcome all new students to campus with a fun new activity each night of the week during the first week of classes. All events during the week are free to students!
New Student Convocation | This is our official welcome to all of our new students to campus. New international students, first-year students and transfer students are invited and encouraged to attend this celebration of a new chapter in their lives! Convocation typically features musical entertainment and welcoming speeches from President Horvath and a keynote speaker. In addition to being a time to welcome students, this event is also a time for students to also think about their collegiate career and what life could be post graduation.
Activities Night | Activities Night will let students view booths set up by each organization and talk with their members to learn more about what each club, team, program and association has to offer. The event will make exploring the diverse selection of student groups easy and accessible for new students. From sports teams and interest-based groups to educational clubs and department programs, students will be presented with many options to explore their interests, meet new people and engage with the campus community.
Community Service Fair | This is a wonderful opportunity where students can visit with representatives from over 40 non-profit and community organizations. Whether you’re looking for an internship, community service hours or just a way to get involved with the local community, the community service fair is something you want to check out! Keep an eye out for this event happening in September.
Homecoming | Every year for homecoming all of the residence halls pair up and perform 5-10 minute lip sync skits that go with the Homecoming theme. Skits are performed at the pep rally along with performances from several dance clubs and a capella groups. This year's theme is "Fredonia Around the World". If you are interested in participating please contact an RA or member of Hall Council.
Fall Sweep | Every fall, the Applied Communications Association sponsors Fall Sweep, a community service opportunity in which students go to residential streets surrounding the campus to rake leaves. This allows Fredonia students to engage with the local citizens, with the goal of building a rapport between the university and the Village of Fredonia.
Hanging of the Greens | This longstanding tradition at Fredonia University President, Virginia Horvath lights a 15-foot evergreen tree. There are also several activities available to participate in; past events have included creating your own build-a-bear, musical performances, story telling, crafts, milk and cookies. This truly is an event for all ages and our official kick off of the winter season.
Spring Events
Casino Night | Sponsored by WHOA and the Office of Residence Life, Casino Night has become a fun tradition on campus. Join in on the fun by playing different types of casino games. We have black jack, poker, roulette, bingo and more! You play to win chips which turn into raffle tickets which you enter to win some amazing prizes. Previous prizes include a Roku, Xbox gaming system, Beats Headphones, Flatscreen TV, iPad mini, multiple gift cards and so much more!
Pink the Rink | Spectators to this highly anticipated hockey games are encouraged to wear pink to match the pink jerseys that players will be wearing this night. On this night, the Fredonia men’s hockey team, play this game to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society. Each jersey is worn to honor and remember loved ones who have fought or currently are fighting the battle against cancer. At the end of the game, jerseys are presented to honorees, family and friends of survivors.
Buffalo News Kids Day | Join us in Fredonia and people all over Western New York in raising money for the Buffalo Women & Children's Hospital. For one morning in April, we take to the streets and sell copies of the Buffalo News. We get an early start to the day and typically raise over $3,000 by 9 AM! This event happens in April, feel free to sign up as part of your residence hall or a club/organization!
Relay for Life | Going on its 11th year as a campus tradition, Relay for Life is one of our biggest on campus. This 12 hour event helps raise money for The American Cancer Society and cancer research. Participants ask for donations to support their walk around the track where each team must have at least 1 member walking for the entirety of the event. The event is split up to represent the different stages of cancer, with one of the most emotional being the luminaria ceremony. Look for this event in April.