Campus Traditions
September 4, 2025 2025-10-03 11:29Campus Traditions
CAMPUS TRADITIONS
Campus Traditions at the University of Lynchburg
Traditions are at the heart of the University of Lynchburg experience. They bring our community together, mark important milestones, and connect Hornets across generations. From formal ceremonies to fun celebrations, Lynchburg traditions reflect the values we hold most dear:
Service, Community, Friendship, Leadership, and Belonging.
Academic & Ceremonial Traditions
- Convocation – Each fall begins with Convocation, where new students are officially welcomed, faculty appear in full regalia, and campus leaders offer words of encouragement.
- Academic Awards Ceremony – Held each spring, this dinner honors outstanding students across academic programs.
- Baccalaureate & Candlelight Ceremony – The evening before Commencement, seniors gather for a reflective service and candlelight walk.
- Commencement – A Lynchburg hallmark, Commencement features music and speeches as graduates cross the stage to receive their degrees.
- Hooding Ceremonies – Graduate students receive their academic hoods in front of family and friends, marking the culmination of advanced study.
- University Mace – Carved from a pine beam of Westover Hall, the Mace is a symbol of academic authority, carried at all major ceremonies.
- Challenge Coin – Doctor of Medical Science graduates receive a coin symbolizing leadership in health care, a tradition started by the program’s first cohort.
- White Coat & Pinning Ceremonies – Students in the DPT, PA Medicine, and Nursing programs mark their entry into clinical practice with this rite of passage. Students receive a short white coat upon starting clinicals and a long white coat upon completing their degree.
Student Life Traditions
- Hornet Days – Our signature “welcome to the hive” program helps new Hornets build connections between move-in and the start of classes.
- SOAR (Student Orientation and Resources) – A summer overnight program that prepares students for academic and social success.
- Organization Fair – At the beginning of each semester, students explore various clubs, organizations, and opportunities to get involved.
- Leadership, Service, and Student Life Awards – Celebrating students and community members who embody the Hornet spirit.
Campus Spirit & Community
- Homecoming and Family Weekend – A combined celebration each fall with alumni reunions, athletic events, awards, and family activities.
- Westover Alumni Society Weekend – Alumni from 45+ years ago return to reconnect and celebrate their Lynchburg roots.
- Founders Week – Honoring our history as Virginia Christian College, this week includes GiveDay, the Student Scholar Showcase, Academic Awards, and Westover Weekend.
- Friendship Circle – At the heart of campus, the Circle symbolizes the University’s commitment to faith and reason. It also honors the founding of Virginia’s first National Conference for Christians and Jews chapter in 1935. Don’t step on it, or you won’t graduate on time!
Fun & Festive Traditions
- Crabfest – A springtime feast with crab legs is one of the most anticipated events of the year.
- Doggies in the Dell – Faculty and staff bring their dogs to campus for stress relief, laughter, and puppy love.
- Finals Blowout – Games, food, and prizes at the end of each semester help students recharge during exam week.
- Late Night Breakfast – Hosted by Dining Services and SGA, this event fuels students with pancakes, music, and camaraderie before finals.
- Turkey Bowl – A touch-football showdown between student teams each fall.
Academic Showcase & Service
- Student Scholar Showcase – A daylong celebration where students present research, creative writing, art, and performance projects.
- Special Olympics at Lynchburg – Each spring, the campus hosts an
Olympic-style event for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Why Traditions Matter at Lynchburg
Our traditions aren’t just events on a calendar — they’re milestones, celebrations, and touchpoints that create lifelong memories.
They unite Hornets across campus and across the years, building a legacy of pride and belonging.
