University Traditions

Commencement

Michigan Tech has two commencements, Midyear and Spring, at the end of fall (November) and spring (May) quarters, respectively. Usually the Midyear Commencement includes the preceding summer and current fall graduates, and Spring Commencement includes the preceding winter and current spring graduates.

Convocation

Faculty dressed in academic garb proceed from Walker Arts and Humanities Center to Fisher Hall, beginning the annual convocation ceremony held in September of each academic year. All members of the University community are invited and encouraged to attend. The president delivers the State of the University address, detailing the recent accomplishments and plans for MTU. Research, teaching, and employee excellence awards are presented along with various student awards. Refreshments follow the program.

Family Fun Day

Staff Council sponsors a day of activities designed to build campus-community involvement and to expose MTU faculty, staff, and their families to MTU's facilities. This event includes the use of the SDC facilities, such as the ice skating arena, weight room, pool, racquetball and tennis courts, and the rifle range as well as the Memorial Union Building bowling alleys. Facility usage, refreshments and child care are free. For more information, contact Staff Council through its e-mail list-serv: staffcouncil-l@mtu.edu

Visual and Performing Arts Activities

Music, theatre, and visual arts activities offered by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts are open to student and community participation. Most performance activities require an audition for membership or casting. Musical organizations include two choruses, two bands, three jazz ensembles, and a symphony orchestra. Theatre activities includes several mainstage productions each season and an improvisational comedy troupe. Visual arts activities include watermedia, oil painting, charcoal drawing, and sculpture.

Visual and Performning Arts The University features juried and non-juried exhibits of a wide variety of art media by professional artists, amateurs, and students. Annual exhibits include the Tech Arts Festival and the Copper Country Gallery Show. For specific information about exhibit opportunities, contact the Department of Visual and Performing Arts or the Cultural Enrichment Department.

Homecoming

Few homecoming festivities on other campuses can rival Michigan Tech's for zaniness and all-around fun. Besides the usual Homecoming Queen and football game, there is a Hobo Parade. The parade features cars that can barely run, thanks to some customizing by the students. The students are also dressed in their worst attire to go along with the theme. Other Homecoming activities include bed races, human pyramid, and tug-of-war challenges; a tailgate party before the big game; and professional entertainment.

K-Day

Classes are canceled at noon on a Friday early in the fall semester so that students, faculty, and staff can celebrate Keweenaw Day (K-Day). It is a celebration of the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula, which is home to Michigan Tech. Everyone heads out to McLain State Park, eleven miles west of Houghton, for a day of fun, sun, music, games, and food.

Parade of Nations

Each fall, usually at the end of September, the Parade of Nations and Multicultural Festival promotes the recognition of other cultures and peoples and helps promote an appreciation of diversity in the area. The parade features international students and community members walking with their country's flag and is followed by a festival featuring food, crafts, displays, and entertainment from around the world. For more information about the parade and related events, contact the Educational Opportunity Department.

Powwow

The Annual Spirit of the Harvest Gathering and Powwow is held each year in late October/early November. This is a newer tradition at Michigan Tech that started in 1996. The Powwow is a gathering of American Indian people and a time to celebrate, visit, feast, sing, and dance together. It is a time for hearing, reinforcing, and expressing Indian heritage. The public is always warmly invited. For details, contact the Michigan Tech Native American Outreach coordinator in the Educational Opportunity Department.

Tech Colors

Michigan Tech's official school colors are metallic gold and silver. The sports colors are gold and black.

Tech Songs

• Hail Alma Mater
  Hail alma mater; hats off to you.
  Ever you'll find us loyal and true.
  Firm and undaunted always we'll be.
  Hail to our MTU,Here's a toast to thee.

• Copper Country Anthem
  I dream of that night with you,
  Lady when first we met,
  We dancedin a world of blue,
  How can my heart forget?
  Blue were the skies,
  And blue were your eyes,
  Just like the blue skirt you wore.
  Come back, blue lady, come back.
  Don't be blue any more.

• Fight Tech Fight
  We'll fight, Tech, fight Engineers,
  For banners bright, Engineers.
  The northern hills will sound our cry.
  We'll ring your praises to the sky.
  Then fight, Tech, fight Engineers,
  For right with might, Engineers.
  We'll win the game, the glorious name,
  Of the Michigan, Michigan, Michigan Engineers.

* The "Copper Country Anthem" is played at the intermission between the second and third periods of all home hockey games. Fans in the stands lock arms and sway to the Pep Band's rousing rendition. The song is actually "The Blue Skirt Waltz."

Winter Carnival

The Winter Carnival started in 1922 and has grown to become one of the largest annual winter festivals in the nation. It features huge snow statues on campus and in the local area; a home hockey series against a tough WCHA team; men's and women's varsity basketball; skits, broomball, and other sports; sleigh rides; a Winter Carnival Queen; and more midwinter fun than you'd think was possible! Winter Carnival is usually held in late January to early February with students getting two days off from classes.

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