Institutional Celebrations
Campus celebrations and events are a special part of life at Rosemont. Time-honored traditions weave a common thread through the Rosemont experience from one generation to the next, while newer occasions highlight the College’s ability to continuously renew and adapt.
Though campus life is often a busy routine of familiar faces and schedules, special events bring all members of the Rosemont community together. Students branch out, alumni reconnect, and families and community members become better acquainted with the College.
Whether welcoming new students at Convocation or wishing graduates well at Commencement, we recognize and celebrate each other’s achievements.
Orientation: New students arrive on campus each August and become better acquainted with the College through a variety of informational and social activities.
Convocation: New and current students, families, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and friends are invited to celebrate the start of the academic year and the College’s mission. New students wear academic gowns and are presented with their caps by Rosemont’s president to symbolize their entrance into the College community.
Welcome Back Picnic: Hosted by the Division of Student Life, this picnic greets all members of the Rosemont community at the beginning of the academic year.
Constitution & Citizenship Day: In September, this day celebrates both the history and current applications of the U.S. Constitution.
Family Weekend Featuring Oktoberfest : Celebrate the change of the seasons during the first weekend in October with Oktoberfest! Enjoy an afternoon of athletic events, a festive carnival, and much more!
Heritage Days: In October, Rosemont College celebrates its heritage with a week of events that mark the founding and the mission of the College. The Sisters of the Holy Child, under its founder, Cornelia Connelly, began the first Holy Child School in England on October 15, 1846. Sisters of the Holy Child later opened Rosemont College in 1921. This SHCJ heritage is the source of the mission of the College today, both of which we celebrate this week.
Thanksgiving Celebration: An ecumenical service in the Chapel is followed by a traditional turkey dinner on this night before Thanksgiving break.
Holiday Evening: In December after the College’s Christmas tree is lit, all members of the Rosemont community are invited to share a holiday meal featuring traditional Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa dishes.
Finals Breakfast: Before first semester finals, students enjoy “breakfast for dinner,” served by College faculty and administrators.
Penny Toss: After a special advent Mass, the College president, Dean of Students, and SGA president toss pennies at students as they sing carols on the porch of the Main Building, just as the nuns did at Christmastime at the first Holy Child school in England.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service: In lieu of classes, this January day is dedicated to service both on campus and in the community.
SGA Formal: Open to all undergraduate students and their guests.
100 Days Party: For all undergraduates, hosted by the juniors 100 days before graduation in honor of the senior class
Jest & Gesture Spring Production: Each year in late winter or early spring, the College’s dramatic society produces a significant comic or tragic play.
Founders' Day: On this day honoring the historic and current founders of Rosemont, classes are dismissed early for a special liturgy, followed by a luncheon at which service certificates and awards are presented.
Academic Honors Day & Spring Reception: Every spring, Academic Honors Day highlights the achievements of Rosemont students and faculty members during the academic year.
Junior Class Blessing: The blessing recognizes the accomplishments of the junior class, and acknowledges their impending advancement to seniors.
Multicultural Festival: Hosted by the International Club to highlight the many heritages of Rosemont students through music, dance, poetry, national costumes, and food.
Athletic Banquet: Awards are presented and achievements of the season are recounted at this banquet honoring our varsity athletes.
Reading Day Picnic: Hosted by the Division of Student Life on Connelly Green.
Senior Week: Members of the senior class plan and enjoy a variety of activities during the week prior to Commencement, including off-campus events and a picnic on Connelly Green.
Commencement: After a Baccalaureate Mass, the Commencement Ceremony is held on Connelly Green. Awards are presented, and graduating students receive their diplomas from the president of the College.
Alumni Reunion Weekend: Alumni renew and enjoy friendships old and new as classes celebrating anniversaries of their graduation from ten through sixty years revisit campus each June.