Our Traditions
Homecoming & Family Weekend
What unites us? What drives us to paint our faces and cheer on our football team? Or march on the field with brooms? Or painstakingly decorate golf carts? The answer is a nine letter word that unites Widener like a blue and gold thread: tradition.
Every year, Homecoming & Family Weekend welcomes generations of students and families to celebrate all things Widener—making it one of our most memorable traditions.
Spotlight on Homecoming
Live Music from Widener Band
Naming King & Queen of the Homecoming Court
Student Organization Golfcart Parade
Widener Pride Football Game
ROTC Fire the Cannons
PMC Broom Drill
Student Traditions
Here are just a few highlights of the traditions you can expect to take part in at Widener.
A Good Luck Wish
Rubbing the nose of the Pride statues is a source of good luck and courage for our students. Situated at the heart of campus, the father lion, Chester, is named after our home city. The mother, Melrose, is named after the main road that runs through our campus. And hiding in the back is Legacy, a baby lion that symbolizes an opportunity to leave your “paw print” at Widener.
Giving Back to Our Community
Giving back to our community is a Widener through line – from Freshman Day of Service, and assisting at our many clinics, to Alternative Spring Break and the annual MLK Day of Service.
Honoring Student Research & Achievement
Alongside supportive faculty mentors, students have countless opportunities to engage in groundbreaking research, meaningful studies, and impactful projects. To celebrate and acknowledge their accomplishments, we hold several presentations throughout the year. These events include the Summer Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (SURCA) Symposium, Honors Week presentations, and Student Project Day.
Student Involvement Fairs
During the first week of each semester, the Office of Student Engagement (OSE), hosts the Student Involvement Fair. More than 80 student organizations showcase their groups and recruit students to get involved on campus. See also all of the student organizations, activities, and events happening on campus on our Experience Widener website.
International Education Week
Each year, we designate a whole week to interactive and educational activities that celebrate the diversity of Widener and the different cultures represented here. Enjoy food, films, language classes, and more.
Courage Day
Courage Day is an annual event dedicated to the concepts and values of courage, bravery, and leadership. The day includes compelling activities, thought provoking questions, and inspirational speakers.
Exam Week Stress Busters
At the end of each semester, we offer a series of events to help reduce exam stress, like the Midnight Breakfast hosted by the Residence Hall Association (RHA) with lots of free food, music, and fun in the Pride Café.
Strut Your Mutt
To celebrate Halloween each year, we dress our furry friends in costumes and gather together for a fun and creative contest. Hosted by our chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), this event is definitely a crowd favorite.
Want to learn more about our history and traditions?
Check out our Vision & History webpage and visit Alumni Auditorium to explore a timeline of Widener's history through the years. There, you will also find the Pennsylvania Military College (PMC) Museum packed with interesting history, stories, and artifacts.