A few of the most popular Wash. U. campus traditions (in no particular order):

• Convocation: New students join parents and faculty at this memorable event as Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton welcomes all new students to the University.
• Thurtene Carnival: The nation’s oldest and largest student-sponsored fair is attended in April by thousands from the St. Louis community. Proceeds go to charity.
• First Friday: A day of programming on the First Friday of classes sponsored by the Campus Programming Council.
• Service First: New students help St. Louis public schools on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
• Diwali: Sold-out performances celebrating the Indian Festival of Lights.
• Black Anthology: This student production celebrates African-American history and culture, and educates our community.
• Lunar New Year Festival: This popular performance celebrates the Lunar New Year.
• Carnaval: Annual production by the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) combining a number of cultural performances and dances with a skit that tells the audience a story.
• All Student Theatre: At this spring outdoor event, students from all majors perform a play they select, produce, and direct.
• Dance Marathon: Twelve hours of non-stop dancing that benefits the Children’s Miracle Network.
• WILD (Walk In Lay Down): A popular festival, held twice annually, features plenty of food and music by a nationally recognized band selected by Team 31, a student group.
• Relay for Life: This 12-hour team walking event benefits the American Cancer Society.
• Moonlight Breakfast: During reading week each semester, faculty and staff serve free breakfast to students for a late-night study break.
• Red Alert: The student-run athletic spirit club which often holds “Pack the Place” events, encouraging students to support WU athletics and receive free pizza!
• Residential College Olympics: Annual competition between Residential Colleges in a wide variety of fun events such as basketball, dodgeball, tug-of-war, and scrabble.
• Bauhaus: Costume party held by the College of Architecture.
• Vertigo: Dance party sponsored by the School of Engineering & Applied Science.
• Art Prom: Party sponsored by the College of Art.
• Cheap Lunch: Sponsored by EnCouncil, Cheap Lunch is held every Wednesday throughout the semester. For a small price, you get pizza and all-you- can- eat chips and cookies.
• Homeplate: A program that matches students with a local family who provides home-cooked meals several times a semester.
• Underpass: The underpass that student groups paint to advertise news and upcoming events.