Campus traditions emerge over decades of experiences shared by our students, faculty, and staff. We are proud of our traditions at the University of Findlay and how these shared experiences are woven together to make all who are here feel like a part of Oiler Nation.
The Arch Ceremony
The Arch Ceremony is one of the oldest college traditions in Northwest Ohio and the most sacred tradition at the University of Findlay. Since its dedication in November 1923, the Griffith Memorial Arch has served as a right of passage for graduating students entering the next chapters of life after their time at Findlay.
New students process through the Arch toward Old Main during orientation weekend while they are being welcomed to campus by faculty, staff, and their loved ones to symbolize the official start of their college experience at Findlay.
According to tradition, students should not walk through the Arch at any point during their time at UF due to superstition that they won't graduate. In keeping with the superstition, students had worn a path in the grass surrounding the arch to avoid jinxing themselves, so the University installed sidewalks around the outside of the Arch in 1990.
Following the Commencement Ceremony, students process back through the Arch toward Main Street and are celebrated once again by faculty, staff, and their loved ones.
The Dreaded Dots
It's an academic Bermuda Triangle...or circle.
Surrounding the oil derrick fountain on main campus, are faded, but still discernible, concrete "dots." Tales of unwary students who stepped on a dot and failed their next test.
Studies commissioned at great cost, show a correlation between stepping on dots and failing tests. The more dots stepped on, the more failed tests.
Be safe. Study hard. . . and watch where you step.
Homecoming and Family Weekend
Sometimes occurring in late September and sometimes in early October, Homecoming and Family Weekend is a tradition that encompasses other traditions like a bonfire, fireworks, golf cart parade, tailgating and class reunions.
Alumni, parents, and siblings of current students and the community are invited to come back to campus and join students, faculty and staff for a steady stream of events from Friday evening through Sunday.
The Oiler Experience
What better way to get to know your classmates during
New Student Orientation than by working as a team to benefit the community!
You REALLY get to know someone when they're holding your ladder, getting paint out of your hair, or kneeling next to you while you plant petunias!
Learn more about The Oiler Experience.
Late Night Munchies Takes the "Bite" Out of Finals
Your eyes are blurry from reading and your stomach is crying for nourishment. Yep, it's finals week and time for "Late Night Munchies!" This Henderson Dining Hall event features great snacks, entertainment, and empathy (from fellow finals sufferers!). Held during finals week in fall and spring semesters.
International Night - Decades of Sharing Cultures!
In 1968, Professor Raeburn Wallace had this great idea - why not share the rich cultural diversity of the campus and with members of the community? International Night was born and has continued to host hundreds of students, staff and community residents each spring.
The attraction? Samples of international cuisine, posters, videos, displays, one-on-one history lessons and musical and dance performances. Held in April after the snow and before commencement.
Helping Hands Food Drive
In 2022, students, faculty, and staff set a new record: 238,732 pounds of food collected!
It's early November and the UF community are in a frenzy of food collection, bringing in canned goods by trucks, wagons and even backpacks! The Helping Hands Food Drive is a tradition that helps community organizations feed the hungry and lets The University of Findlay students, faculty and staff experience the joy of giving back to the community! What could be better a few weeks before Thanksgiving?
Led by David Harr, director of dining services, the food drive has been a fall tradition since 2006. In 2009-2010, UF ranked first among college campuses nationwide for pounds of food collected. To date, the University community has donated more than one million pounds of food to Chopin Hall, a local charitable organization.
Orientation Weekend
Everyone will tell you that the best thing to do on Orientation Weekend is to "dive in" and get to know as many of your fellow students as possible. Feeling a little shy? Building Oiler Nation is a series of icebreakers involving the entire entering class. Building Oiler Nation takes the stress out of meeting other students. Before you know it another best friend is giving you a high five!