We defy you to not get swept up in the spirit and fervor of events at the Mount. As hard as we work, we play just as passionately. There are TONS of ways to get involved, and the more you do, the more you'll feel the blue and white surging through your veins! And you'll see why some of these events are so beloved that they have become Mount traditions.
At the beginning of each school year, things start off with a bang at the Mount. Students, faculty and staff converge on our picturesque mountain campus to meet new people and professors, reconnect with old friends, learn about the university, and have crazy amounts of fun.
New students get acquainted with campus, meet people, and register for your first classes.
Weeks of Welcome kicks off the school year—two weeks of fun designed to introduce new students to the Mount community and let returning students reconnect. Take adorable pictures for the Gram at goat yoga, gorge on Maryland crabs, laugh too hard at a comedy show, discover why bingo is big at the Mount, and make lots of new friends.
This is your time to get involved! You can sign up for some of our 70+ clubs and organizations at the Block Party. Challenge yourself to explore new options, and if you don’t see a club you like, you can always start one!
The culture at Mount St. Mary’s University is filled with traditions that began as a simple idea but became an important part of the Mount experience.
It’ll be nearly impossible to tell your family about everything you’re doing at the Mount. FamilyFest is the perfect opportunity to share your experiences with them. You can hike our campus trails, enjoy lunch from a food truck, take in performances by our Visual and Performing Arts students, and introduce your parents to your favorite professors.
For almost 100 years, each Mount class has chosen its own ring design, unique to their year. Junior students are presented their rings at the annual Ring Mass, when the rings are blessed in the presence of family, friends and the Mount community. That same evening, the junior class celebrates this momentous occasion with a semi-formal Ring Dance. Alumni proudly wear their rings as an outward symbol of their time at the Mount, their accomplishments, their memories, and their Mount pride.
At Homecoming, you’ll experience what it means to be a Mount Maniac. Dance the night away at the formal dance, complete with a live DJ and a photo booth. Go wild at the men’s and women’s basketball games and then join in paying tribute to our athletic greats being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.
Academics are highly valued and celebrated at the Mount, both throughout the year and at the end of the academic year.
SPARC is an annual academic celebration that highlights the work of our Mount community. Participation in the SPARC Festival is often the culmination of months of academic preparations including literature review, primary research, and written reporting, all under the guidance of faculty and other subject matter experts. As such, SPARC is often a highlight in the overall academic experience of many Mount St. Mary’s University students.
This annual ceremony publicly recognizes graduating seniors who are being honored for academic and artistic accomplishments, service to the church, and service to the community.
This annual celebration occurs on the day before Commencement. After practicing commencement processionals, graduating students and their families have a community social with their school/division and then a Baccalaureate procession and mass is held.
Each year, Commencement is the ceremony during which Mount St. Mary’s University confers degrees on graduating students.
This event is held to thank the senior class for their contributions to the Mount. We encourage graduating seniors to lead lives of service and philanthropy as they become alumni. There is also dedication ceremony for the class stone in the walkway.
Former students head back to the Mount for a weekend dedicated to celebrating Mount St. Mary's University alumni. Each year we celebrate class reunions that run in increments of 5 – with an emphasis on the 25th and 50th year reunions. Join us for a weekend full of friends, food, wine tasting, and a family-friendly festival with games, live music, and entertainment.
Learn About Reunion Weekend