Alumni Traditions

Arrival Survival

Each year, approximately 7,000 freshman move into the dorms on the Pitt campus in a span of three days. This event, better known as Arrival Survival, is a co-sponsored effort between the Pitt Alumni Association, the Office of Student Affairs and the Parking and Transportation office. Over 500 staff members and volunteers are dedicated to helping the new students arrival on campus go as smoothly as possible.

The volunteers are trained to help students and their families with the task of getting from point A to point B with the least amount of frustration. The Arrival Survival team are easy to identify with their Arrival Survival t-shirts and energetic and helpful attitude as they welcome new students, offer assistance, give directions and information, and provide snacks and cold refreshments to help ease the task of getting students situated in their new home on the Pitt campus.

Click here to watch a video of Arrival Survival

Blue and Gold Society

The Blue and Gold Society is a group of undergraduate student leaders who have been chosen to act as liaisons between the student community and the Pitt Alumni Association. The mission of the Blue and Gold Society is to promote the University of Pittsburgh, it's interests and goals among future and current students, alumni, and friends and to instill in them the value of a life long relationship with the University. As students, you are the focus of your institution's goals and objectives. As alumni, you represent the result of her mission.

Visit the Blue and Gold Society web site.

Graduation Central

The Pitt Alumni Association co-sponsors Graduation Central with the Book Center and the Office of Special Events. This annual event is held in April and is a one-stop shop for commencement information, graduation regalia, class rings, diploma cases, registering for free online services, and more.

Click here to view photo galleries of Graduation Central.

Homecoming

Each year, alumni, students, and friends of Pitt gather together for the Univeristy of Pittsburgh's Homecoming weekend. The Pitt Alumni Association is a proud sponsor of many of the events that take place during the weekend. The Blue and Gold Society is involved in organizing the tradition of electing a Homecoming King and Queen as the Alumni Association offers various events and opportunities for alumni to connect with each other. Past events include a bonfire, pep rally, fireworks and laser show, Panther pre-game party, and Freshman Family weekend - just to name a few.

Homecoming 2008 will be held October 23-26, 2008. For information on events, click here.

Lantern Night

Lantern Night is a poignant tradition that symbolizes the passing of knowledge from one generation of women to the next at the University of Pittsburgh. The ceremony takes place at Heinz Chapel in August before the start of the fall semester. Each of the participating woman receives a lantern that is lit by one of the Pitt alumnae symbolizing the “light of learning”. When the ceremony is finished, the group proceeds from Heinz Chapel to the Cathedral of Learning with the glowing lanterns. This procession is also symbolic as it represents the path of knowledge that the group will embark on at Pitt.

History of Lantern Night

Lantern Night began in 1920 when the young women of the freshman class were invited into the home of the secretary of the university as a welcoming gesture to Pitt. Each student was given a candle to signify the beginning of their journey to higher education. With candles in hand the group embarked in a procession across campus to the University Women's Center located in the Heinz House. As the tradition grew in popularity, the ceremony was moved to the Cathedral of Learning's Commons Room, Alumni Hall, and to where it currently takes place, Heinz Memorial Chapel. Although the location has changed through the years to accommodate the number of young women who participate, the meaning of this beautiful tradition remains the same.

Click here to view photo galleries of Lantern Night

Pathway to Professions

The annual Pathway to Professions Networking Reception is held the Thursday evening before Homecoming. Students and alumni who are interested in learning about other professions have a chance to talk to alumni volunteers about what they do. Initiated in 2003, the reception attracts more than 400 participants to Alumni Hall.

Click here to view photo galleries of Pathway to Professions.

Panther Sendoff

In 2004 we began a new tradition. Over 1,300 new graduates and families attended this first-ever celebration of graduation and transition. The alumni association helps bridge the gap between the student experience and the "real world".

The Varsity Walk

On the University of Pittsburgh campus, between the Cathedral of Learning and Heinz Chapel, is a sidewalk known as the Varsity Walk. There, embedded in the stones, are the names of former Pitt athletes who have promoted the University through their athletic or academic achievements.

The Varsity Walk was conceived in 1950 as a way to honor athletes, and new members are added each year. The distinctive hand-carved stones were first presented as the Athletic Committee Award and the Charles C. Hartwig Award. The Athletic Committee recognized the best athlete from any sport. The Charles Hartwig Award was given to the senior athlete who promoted and sponsored the best interests of Pittsburgh athletics, in honor of the 1934 All-America tight end. In 1971 the awards were changed to the Panther and Blue-Gold awards, respectively. The Panther Award is presented to the graduating senior athlete who has promoted Pittsburgh athletics through his/her outstanding athletic achievement. The Blue-Gold Award is given to the seniors who represent the student-athlete ideal based on academic scholarship, athletic achievement, leadership qualities and citizenship.

For a list of past recipients, click here.

ODK Walk

Located directly across from Varsity Walk.  It has the names of recipients of the senior of the year award.  Its purpose is to recognize annually a senior student for meritorious leadership, superior scholarship, and general campus citizenship, with emphasis on the development of the whole person, both as a member of the college community and as a prospective contributor to a better society. 

The Victory Lights

Following every football victory, as well as other prominent victories (for example, basketball team victories in the NCAA tournament, swim team conference championships, etc.), the gold hue of the victory lights is cast over Oakland from the top of the Cathedral of Learning.

When You Wish Upon a Panther

A tradition has grown up regarding the panther statue outside the William Pitt Union.  Students rub the panther's nose for luck before exams.  Does it work?  Pam Callahan (CBA '10) seems to think so.