Traditions

Welcome Week

Held at the beginning of each school year, Welcome Week is a series of activities to break the ice for entering first-year students. These events are designed to help get you out of your room and into the mix—easing the transition from high school to college. (Don’t worry, you can assemble that bookshelf when you get back.)

Pancake Madness

The night before finals begin, each semester, college faculty and staff stay on campus a little later than usual (think 11:00 pm) to serve breakfast to hungry, cramming, stressed-out students. Organized by the Office of Community Engagement, Pancake Madness welcomes more than 1,200 students to the Dining Hall for a night of food, great music, dancing (and venting).

Cover Show

Have you ever wanted to perform live on stage as your favorite singer? Do you karaoke? Imagine being on a full stage with music, lights, dancers, and fans screaming your name. If this appeals to you, join Purchase’s annual Cover Show. Of course you don’t have to perform. Lots of students show up to hang out, see their friends perform, and get their groove on. (It’s the only karaoke show you don’t want to miss.)

Culture Shock

Think mini-Coachella. First, there’s some of the area’s best emerging artists in diverse musical genres. Then, there’s tons of food, carnival rides, games, vendors, and activities. Culture Shock is off the charts when it comes to college musical festivals. Generally attended by more than 2,000 students and guests, it’s the perfect spring semester celebration.

Need a break from the action? Wellness Shock offers alternative activities that focus on mental and physical health (and just so happens to be in a tent right next door).

Senior Week

When everyone else leaves for summer, it’s seniors only. There are games to play, movies to watch on the mall, BBQs to eat, trips to take, and a huge party in the main dining hall the night before commencement.

Fall Ball

Have you seen Ru Paul’s Drag Race? Well, our stage is bigger. Fall Ball is an extravaganza eleganza drag competition. Not only do we crown campus winners in the King, Queen, and Quing categories, but we also bring out some of the greatest guest drag performers in the country. Students who compete spend months rehearsing and practicing their routines and looks (throwing shade).

Zombie Prom

The Walking Dead has nothing on this event! Zombie Prom is so not high school. It’s a huge event that takes place every spring, featuring live music, a DJ, and, of course, students dressed up like zombies. (Did we mention that we provide the buckets of fake blood?)