Hartwick College has existed for more than 200 years, so you can imagine the traditions that have developed. And you have the power to help create even more!
Fall Wick Traditions
Winter 'Wick Traditions
Spring 'Wick Traditions
Opening Convocation
This Hartwick gathering of scholars begins each academic year. The Hartwick bell rings to begin the outdoor ceremony on Oyaron Hill. In welcoming the incoming class to the Hartwick community, the profile of the class is presented.
Opening Week Activities
Our orientation program highlights academic components with FUN! Last year students organized a week of entertainment that included a casino night with tons of cool prizes, a drive-in movie on the lawn under the stars, a Hawaiian Festival with free food and entertainment.
Ooze Fest
This "mud" volleyball tournament, held annually for freshmen, takes place the night before upperclass students return to campus. This class event is sponsored by Hartwick's Student Alumni Association.
TASTE of Hartwick
Hartwick’s student organization fair takes place at the very beginning of the fall semester. A picnic and a variety of entertainment welcome you to Frisbee Field, where student groups show off their clubs, providing you a chance to learn about the amazing opportunities to get involved on campus, meet new friends, and, most importantly, have fun!
Homecoming/Reunion Weekend
A celebration with Hartwick alumni where students have the opportunity to meet, socialize, and network with Hartwick graduates.
Family Weekend
A chance for students to host their families on campus with an exciting array of activities and events designed especially for family fun!
Sophomore Sundaes
Another class event sponsored by the Student Alumni Association, sophomores make their own sundaes, win great raffle prizes, hear about exciting things to get involved in on campus, and meet faculty and staff.
Senior "171"
Marks and celebrates 171 days until graduation for members of the senior class. The Young Alumni Director is elected during this event, sponsored by the Student Alumni Association, to represent their class on the Hartwick Alumni Board of Directors.
Holiday Ball
Our annual semi-formal is hosted by Hartwick Campus Activities Board to celebrate the end of classes in December. Past themes have included "Reel Classics," taking guests back in time to the "Golden Age of Hollywood," and the 50th Golden Anniversary of the Hartwick Holiday Ball, celebrated in 2007. A casino night with tons of prizes, hors d'oeuvres that included chocolate-covered strawberries, and a large video dance DJ party creates a festive atmosphere for this Hartwick traditional event.
Relax & Refresh
Finals bring along stress…so, Relax & Refresh is designed to offer students a study break and relieve some stress. Healthy energizing snacks are offered with meditative relaxation, Reike treatments, massage, aromatherapy, and more!
Midnight Madness
This very popular annual event is sponsored by Student Affairs and includes food served by faculty and staff, prizes, and music with more than 800 students attending each year. The fun atmosphere of Midnight Madness is designed to help students relax and better prepare for a successful final exam period.
J Term NYC Bus Trip
Enjoy a free day in the Big Apple.
Pre-St. Patrick's Day Party for Freshman
Freshmen have the opportunity to decorate t-shirts and hats for St. Patrick's Day and enjoy classic mint-flavored milkshakes. This class event is sponsored by Hartwick's Student Alumni Association.
Senior Dinner
The annual dinner, sponsored by The Student Alumni Association for the senior class, takes place at a venue off campus in which the seniors arrive in business casual attire and have the opportunity to reflect on their past four years together.
Habitat for Humanity’s Spring Break Collegiate Challenge
A group of students chooses to help build houses over Spring Break instead of relaxing on a sunny island. Past trips have gone to Kentucky, West Virginia, and North Carolina.
Pine Lake Day
The beautiful grounds of our environmental campus at Pine Lake is the site of a free barbecue and outdoor events such as a volleyball tournament, live bands, swimming, boating, and other outdoor adventures. Student Senate sponsors this great event to celebrate the coming of spring.
Spring Weekend
Highlighting our long-standing tradition Wick Wars, Hartwick Campus Activities Board and Aramark Food Services create a series of fun, team-oriented competitions. Monetary prizes are awarded to top teams that can successfully make it through the challenges invented by the Union. Outdoor concerts, a free barbecue, and other thrilling carnival-like events will be spread out on Frisbee Field.
OH Fest
Student leaders from Hartwick College and the State College at Oneonta created a new annual tradition for the spring semester that helps bridge the relationships between Oneonta and both college campuses. In 2006, OH Fest shut down Main Street in Oneonta for a carnival with an evening concert featuring Robert Randolph and the Family Band and Blues Traveler. The tradition continued in 2007 with OH Fest: Back for Seconds as Everclear and Emerson Drive performed. Main Street carnival events brought the community out to help raise funds to benefit local charities.
Sophomore BBQ with the President
The sophomore class gathers at Thornwood, the president's house, to enjoy an Oneonta classic Brooks' BBQ. This event is sponsored by the Student Alumni Association.
Senior Brunch
Taking place in May, the Senior Class Brunch provides seniors with the opportunity to reflect on their time as students and look forward to their future as Hartwick College alumni. The newly elected Young Alumni Director is introduced and offers a class toast in which seniors receive commemorative champagne glasses.
Junior Pig Roast on Frisbee Field
Sponsored by the Student Alumni Association, the annual pig roast allows juniors to unwind from the end of the school year and look forward to the upcoming year as seniors. WRHO, Hartwick's student radio station, plays popular tunes and juniors wear their commemorative Junior Class Pig Roast t-shirts.
Honors Convocation
This Hartwick gathering of scholars celebrates academic achievement, leadership, and character. The annual ceremony culminates with the naming of six rising seniors as John Christopher Hartwick Scholars. It includes inductions in the Hartwick College Honor Society, along with presentation of the Andrew B. Saxton Undergraduate Fellowship teacher and scholar awards, and the Wandersee Scholar-in-Residence Awards for faculty.
Last Day of Classes Bash
When finals are over and all library books are returned, Hartwick Campus Activities Board, Student Senate, and Aramark Food Services brings you this outdoor extravaganza on Frisbee Field! Live music, great food, and fun activities such as "Make Your Own Music Video" help students celebrate the end of another school year.
Relax & Refresh
Spring finals bring along stress…so, Relax & Refresh is designed to offer students a study break and relieve some stress. Healthy energizing snacks are offered with meditative relaxation, Reike treatments, massage, aromatherapy, and more!
Breakfast of Champions
This very popular annual event is sponsored by Student Affairs and includes food served by faculty and staff, prizes, and music with more than 800 students attending each year. The fun atmosphere of Breakfast of Champions is designed to help students relax and better prepare for a successful final exam period.
Senior Fling
The final senior class event before Commencement...Future Hartwick alumni enjoy food and drinks and are able to obtain a copy of the Senior Class Retrospective that was viewed at Senior Brunch.
