Traditions

  1. Home
  2. About
  3. Who We Are
  4. University History
  5. Traditions

From the moment you arrive in Hamilton, you’ll see why the Colgate experience will stay with you far beyond your time on the hill. It’s here that you’ll have everyday moments — and momentous occasions — 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 Colgate traditions.

Students gather under tent during Colgate convocation.

Founders’ Day Convocation

Recognition of Founders’ 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’s academic community, including a Founders’ Day dinner, procession and Convocation address.

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

Homecoming

Wherever you go, go, ‘gate! Every fall, Colgate 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’s 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 “light of knowledge” they have gained through their Colgate education and represented by the torch on the University seal. The torchlight tradition has been part of the Colgate 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 Colgate community celebrates the accomplishments of the graduating class during Commencement Weekend. Colgate’s 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

Colgate 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)
Colgate, Alma Mater,
Fairest theme of all our lays!
Colgate! 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’s 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’s 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’s goal, 
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s 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.

—Text and Music by Harry Emerson Fosdick, Colgate Class of 1900
 

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 Colgate! 
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 Colgate. 

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 Colgate University 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 Colgate, 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 Colgate University 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 Colgate, dear mother of men.