Traditions

Every year during orientation, new Tars are introduced to the power of service through the Rollins tradition of SPARC Day. During this community-wide day of service, first-year students perform an array of volunteer activities for dozens of local organizations and then reflect on the impact each of them can have in their backyard and around the world.

One of the first traditions Rollins students partake in is Candlewish. At the start of each fall semester, first-years gather to set their intentions for the next four years. Each student is given a candle, which is raised to symbolize the power of community, the pursuit of knowledge, and the Rollins motto “Fiat Lux,” meaning “Let there be light.”

Started in 1956 by Rollins’ 10th president, Hugh McKean, Fox Day is our most popular and beloved tradition. Each spring, the Rollins fox statue is placed on Tars Plaza, signaling the cancellation of classes. The day of fun kicks off with donuts and culminates with a family-style picnic. No one knows exactly what day the fox will appear, and guessing is half the fun.

What began as a fun way for Student Government Association (SGA) candidates to connect with the student body has turned into one of the College’s most highly anticipated (and competitive) social events. Representatives from dozens of student groups participate in the lip-sync and dance challenge, and the production value is out of this world. The sing-alongs are the stuff of legends, and the dance battles can earn you some serious cred.

Don’t you love having breakfast for dinner? On the eve of finals every semester, students flock to Skillman Dining Hall for Late Night Breakfast—a free event where faculty, staff, and even the President serve up breakfast favorites like pancakes, omelets, and biscuits and gravy. It’s a great opportunity for students to fill up on food and fun as they finish their papers and cram for exams.