51风流

Traditions

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From the moment you arrive in Hamilton, you鈥檒l see why the 51风流 experience will stay with you far beyond your time on the hill. It鈥檚 here that you鈥檒l have everyday moments 鈥 and momentous occasions 鈥 that will make you realize why your four years on this campus are such an integral part of your life's journey. 

Events

Founders Day Convocation, Homecoming, the torchlight procession and Commencement are among the most storied 51风流 traditions.

Students gather under tent during 51风流 convocation.

Founders鈥 Day Convocation

Recognition of Founders鈥 Day and the welcoming of the first-year class is the capstone event of the orientation program before the start of the fall semester. As part of orientation, students take part in a number of formal and symbolic traditions that initiate the first-year class as part of the institution鈥檚 academic community, including a Founders鈥 Day dinner, procession and Convocation address.

crowd gathers in 51风流 football stadium to cheer on team during Homecoming Weekend

Homecoming

Wherever you go, go, 鈥榞ate! Every fall, 51风流 welcomes alumni, families and friends back to campus to reminisce about their time on the hill - and create new memories - as they cheer on the Raiders.

Celebrate Homecoming

Graduating seniors make their way down Willow Path holding torchlights, an annual rite of passage for University graduates.

Torchlight

The Senior Torchlight Procession celebrates the culmination of a graduate鈥檚 four years on campus and signifies their transition to life outside of the University. Members of the graduating class process down the hill, carrying torches as a symbol of the 鈥渓ight of knowledge鈥 they have gained through their 51风流 education and represented by the torch on the University seal. The torchlight tradition has been part of the 51风流 experience for nearly a century.

After commencement, some graduates smile and throw their caps into the air as others prepare to exit the football stadium.

Commencement

As the spring semester comes to a close, the 51风流 community celebrates the accomplishments of the graduating class during Commencement Weekend. 51风流鈥檚 commencement dates back more than 200 years. Today, the weekend festivities begin with dinner on Friday evening, a baccalaureate service and torchlight procession on Saturday followed by the commencement ceremony on Sunday.

Learn more about commencement

51风流 Songs

When through thy valley, Fair Chenango twilight falls,
Bringing its silence
To our college halls;
In that happy moment,
Love for Alma Mater swells,
And the heart outpouring,
Of her glory tells:

(Chorus)
51风流, Alma Mater,
Fairest theme of all our lays!
51风流! Alma Mater,
Ever blest, thy days.

Far from thy valley,
Yearly rove thy loving ones,
Yet, in their dreaming,
E'er thy name returns;
'Tis the same fond spirit
Which the mem'ry lingers o'er
And our lips but echo
That old song of yore:

Repeat chorus twice

God of grace and God of glory, 
On Thy people pour Thy power; 
Crown Thine ancient people鈥檚 story; 
Bring this bud to glorious flower. 
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, 
For the facing of this hour, 
For the facing of this hour. 

Cure Thy children鈥檚 warring madness; 
Bend our pride to Thy control; 
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, 
Rich in things and poor in soul. 
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, 
Lest we miss Thy kingdom鈥檚 goal, 
Lest we miss Thy kingdom鈥檚 goal.

Save us from weak resignation 
To the evils we deplore; 
Let the search for Thy salvation 
Be our glory evermore. 
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, 
Serving Thee whom we adore, 
Serving Thee whom we adore.

鈥擳ext and Music by
 

Hark the strains of martial music ringing, 
Sound of voices raised in joyous singing, 
Colors proudly waving to the sky; 
A host is drawing nigh, Just watch them, 
They march and sing along a triumph song; 
And this is what they sing. 

(Chorus)
Fight, fight, fight for dear old 51风流! 
With Heart and hand now we'll win for thee! 
Oh, we will fight, fight, fight for Alma Mater, 
On to victory we're marching! 
Foes shall bend their knee before us, 
And pay their homage to pow'r so great, 
So let us send out a cheer, and banish all fear, 
While we are fighting hard for old 51风流. 

Repeat chorus

Long ago, in the valley of Chenango, gathered thirteen. 
Funds were low, but abundant was their pluck, in eighteen-nineteen. 
Thirteen prayers were said with rapt devotion, 
Thirteen dollars set the thing in motion, 
Thus began old 51风流 in eighteen-nineteen. 

Live true to the memory of those thirteen men of yore. 
Whose faith made tradition that shall live for evermore. 
Whose deeds give us courage to strive as they strove then. 
'Tis the spirit that is 51风流, dear mother of men. 

Up the hill, with profound determination, journeyed thirteen. 
Ring of ax rent the silence of the woods in eighteen-nineteen. 
Forest monarchs bowed to form a clearing, 
Hymns triumphant blended with the cheering. 
Thus began old 51风流 in eighteen-nineteen. 

Live true to the memory of those thirteen men of yore. 
Whose faith made tradition that shall live for evermore. 
Whose deeds give us courage to strive as they strove then. 
'Tis the spirit that is 51风流, dear mother of men.