CAMPUS TRADITIONS
ANNUAL SNOWBALL FIGHT
On the night of the first significant snowfall students head to The Quad for the Annual Snowball Fight.
AUGUST EXPERIENCE
The week before classes begin is dedicated to the orientation of the incoming first-year class. Students move into the residence halls, participate in numerous activities to acclimate them to their new home, and even begin taking their first class.
BACCALAUREATE
The Friday evening prior to Commencement, graduating seniors and their families are invited to an ecumenical service in the Center for Fine Arts (CFA), hosted by the Ball Family Chaplain, including student liturgists.
CANDLE LIGHTS
When a sorority member is lavaliered, pinned, or engaged a ceremony is held. A lighted candle is passed around the circle of house residents while the “Alma Mater” or Greek song is sung, until the candle reaches the one with the exciting news.
VEGAS NIGHT
Vegas Night is the premiere student event and is open to students and their guests. The event is held the first weekend of May, both inside and outside the Brown Campus Center. The students select a theme each year and plan decorations and attire based on the theme. Students can win throughout the evening and during the final drawing at the end of the night. The event includes: professionally staffed casino games, a local DJ, catering from Parkhurst Dining, a caricature artist, photo booth, and glow-in-dark mini golf.
CHRISTMAS WITH HANOVER… AN INSTRUMENTAL MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF THE SEASON
Each year near the end of Fall Semester the Hanover College instrumental music program presents a special “Christmas with Hanover” concert. Featured on the program are the Hanover College Concert Band and small instrumental ensembles. The program always closes with a delightful Christmas sing-a-long medley. This program has become a popular way for students, faculty, and staff to celebrate the holiday season.
“KISSING” ROCK
A large rock at The Point overlooking the Ohio River. It is tradition for a couple who kisses at the rock to be married.
FACULTY COMMENCEMENT LINE
At the end of the commencement ceremony each year, faculty members form a two-sided receiving line through which the graduates pass. The faculty as a whole offers its congratulations and best wishes to the newest Hanover alumni.
FALL CONVOCATION
An all-campus convocation held during the first week of classes in the fall. The senior class members, in their caps and gowns for the first time, and the incoming first year class march into the ceremony through a two sided line of faculty. The seniors and first year students are charged with their mission for the year.
THE HANOVER COLLEGE CONCERT BAND AND THE BIG BASS DRUM
The Hanover College Concert Band closes each of its concerts with a rousing performance of the Hanover College Fight Song, “Hanover-We’re for You.” In 2018, students in the Concert Band completely restored a large bass drum that was used in the band in the 1940’s. The “Big Bass Drum,” as it is popularly known, is rolled out near the close of each concert for the performance of the Fight Song, paying tribute to all band members, past and present. Join in on the clapping during the Fight Song, and show your Panther pride!
HIKE TO THE POINT
During the August Experience, all first year students, faculty, and staff are invited to hike the biology trail and enter Hanover College in the same fashion as the first students of the College did in the 1800s. A trolley ride is provided for students to the base of the hill and a celebration is held once all have reached the top.
HOMECOMING
A series of activities in the fall leading up to Homecoming Day for alumni to return to campus to reunite with old classmates. Activities usually include class reunions, alumni/student BINGO, the crowning of the Homecoming Royalty, and the annual Homecoming Day Football Game.
HONORS CONVOCATION
An all-campus convocation held during Winter Term designated to recognized senior students who have received academic and leadership honors and awards. In addition, other outstanding students are also recognized. The Baynham Award for Outstanding Teaching is presented to one faculty member.
INTERNATIONAL CLUB BANQUET
The international Banquet that occurs every spring offers guests a full course dinner of international food cooked by the international club members, who also color the night with entertainment from around the world.
LATE NIGHT BREAKFAST
On the Sunday Night before finals week, students from across campus come together in Campus Center Dining Room for a special breakfast served by their faculty, staff, and administrators. Students enjoy this well-deserved break to hang out with friends and enjoy entertainment provided by the Campus Activities Board.
LATE NIGHT RUNS
As students stay up well into the night for studying and hanging out, local establishments are open to meet the students’ needs. Numerous trips are taken yearly to Hinkle’s, a local restaurant well known for their burgers, cheesy fries, and milk shakes. Students also make the trek to Taco Bell and Wal-Mart to fill their needs in the late night hours.
THE RUN
The end of recruitment for fraternities/sororities is marked by The Run. New affiliates run to their respective new houses to accept their recently awarded invitation called “bids.”
SENIOR PUB CRAWL
The Thursday night prior to graduation, immediately following commencement rehearsal, graduating seniors are invited to attend a night on the town in historic Madison. Transportation, door prizes, and an opportunity to enjoy the final evenings at Hanover College before graduation.
SPIRIT ROCK
Campus organizations take turns painting the spirit rock in front of the Horner Center with positive artwork or messages that can promote an event or simply show pride in their alma mater. The spirit rock was the 2014 senior class gift. See more photos of the spirit rock.
WIFFLEBALL
Students claim that Spring Term is the best time on campus because of Wiffleball. The three week long tournament, sponsored by the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha, is a time for students to have a blast on campus while raising money for charity. Students, faculty, and staff gather together teams to compete.
ALMA MATER
In 1956, Meredith Willson (writer of award-winning musicals “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” and “The Music Man”) visited Hanover and, inspired by the “jewel-box” campus, wrote a melody for a new alma mater. Mrs. Katharine Parker, wife of then-president Albert G. Parker, slightly modified the poem she had written for the verse to better fit them to Wilson’s tune.
Below you’ll see the words to all three versions of our alma mater, as well as to those of Hanover’s “Fight Song.”
