Traditions
College Traditions
Campus traditions are a cherished part of Elizabethtown College’s history and community. They bring students, faculty, and staff together, fostering connection, creating memories, and celebrating our shared Blue Jay pride. From the friends you see every day to the familiar faces around campus, these moments strengthen the bonds that define the Etown experience.
With a mix of official and unofficial traditions, there are countless ways to get involved and feel at home on campus. Students look forward to these events all year long, and often carry the memories with them long after graduation.
The College Motto & Seal
"Educate for Service" first appeared on a slate board in 1915 on the chapel wall in Rider Memorial Hall. Years later, the trustees officially adopted the phrase as the College motto. Educate for Service expresses our belief that the pursuit of knowledge is most noble when used to benefit others.
The seal of Elizabethtown College evolved during the early years of the College. It appeared in its present form as an illustration on the cover of the Elizabethtown College Bulletin in 1928. The seal incorporates the Lamp of Learning, the College motto - Educate for Service, and the words Deus Lux et Veritas. It is used on official College documents.
The Blue Jay
From the Grey Ghost to the Blue Jay, Elizabethtown College's beloved mascot has assumed many identities over the years. Even with the change, the students and alumni keep the spirit and love of the College alive for over 100 years.
In the 1930s Etown basketball players were called the “Galloping Grey Ghosts.” In 1945-1946 the college held a competition to name all the athletes and teams. The student body voted to adopt the Blue Jay as its new mascot. In 1950 C. Frederick Horbach, History major, class of 1953 and president of the Student Senate designed the Blue Jay Mascot. The Blue Jay mascot is officially named 'Blue'.
Annual Campus Traditions
Etown has gathered a number of informal traditions that help make our campus a unique and welcoming place. These traditions help form our Etown family and promote the community values that we stand and live by.
First-Year Walk
TGIS Weekend
Holiday Celebration
Carrot Cake
Our 10th President, Dr. Morley J. Mays noted his preference for carrot cake and made it synonymous with hospitality at Etown. Prospective families of the 1970s were always given a piece of Etown carrot cake to take home. The tradition lives on and Carrot Cake has remained an ever-present feature at numerous campus events, a piece of cake still goes home with every prospective student to this day.
Signature Celebrations
Here at Etown we celebrate our students along every step of their journey. Induction, Convocation, Baccalaureate, Commencement, and Homecoming are our largest institutional events, and they are instrumental parts of our student's education.
- Our Convocation Ceremony marks the beginning of the academic year. The ceremony includes an academic procession of faculty members and administrators in regalia, an induction of the incoming class, and an address by the President.
- Our Baccalaureate Service is a candlelight service held in Leffler Chapel and Performance Center the night before Commencement. The service includes reflections from graduating seniors and the passing of the flame from the senior class to the junior class officers.
- Our Commencement Ceremony is held in the Dell at the end of the spring semester. The ceremony includes an academic procession of faculty, administrators, trustees, the 50th reunion class, and graduates in regalia. Honorary and earned degrees are conferred by the President of the College.
- Homecoming and Family Weekend is held each fall and serves as a reminder of the connections created at Etown and the strong sense of belonging that draws alumni back to campus every year. The weekend's schedule includes nationally known performers, sporting events, academic reunions, and a parade that runs down College Avenue.
The Alma Mater
The Elizabethtown College Alma Mater was written by Jennie Miller Via, class of 1909 and arranged by Darrell Douglas. In 2024 as a part of the College’s 125th anniversary, President Betty Rider appointed a committee to refresh the lyrics. The committee, chaired by Dr. Jim Haines, Professor of Music Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Music, was made up of alumni, faculty, staff, and current students, updated the lyrics to both reflect on the past while looking ahead to the future of the College.
The Alma Mater
We hail you Alma Mater dear,
As now we sing your praise;
O let your walls and storied halls
Resound with song always.
The just and fair alike do share
The labor of your hand;
Together they proclaim always
Your glory through the land.
As long as breezes ’round you blow
And endless ages roll,
May countless honors on you rest,
While we your name extol.
CHORUS:
We Educate for Service,
To that we will be true;
We love you ever, oh E.C.
And your colors Gray and Blue.