Traditions & History
Established in 1837 by Presbyterians of North Carolina, Davidson is a liberal arts college dedicated to cultivating humane instincts and disciplined, creative minds.
As a college that welcomes students, faculty, and staff from a variety of nationalities, ethnic groups, and traditions, Davidson values every kind of diversity, recognizing the dignity and worth of every person while providing a range of opportunities for worship, civil debate, and teaching that enrich mind and spirit. Davidson challenges students to engage in service to prepare themselves for lives of growth and giving.
At Davidson, the history of the college energizes campus life through traditions that connect current students with the college's long history.
Foundations
The Honor Code
Respect for the Honor Code has been a central philosophy at Davidson, providing the foundation for the open environment in which students live and study. The Honor Code signing ceremony remains a distinctive moment in the first-year student experience, connecting new Wildcats to the college's honor-bound past.
Phi-Eu Debates
Eumenean and Philanthropic Halls, constructed in 1849 and 1850 respectively, are named for the first two student societies founded at the college, both of which still exist and meet today. Their tradition of civic discourse continues through the quadrennial Phi-Eu debate, a time during the presidential elections when College Republicans and Democrats face off from the balconies to discuss important topics.
Sweethearts at the Old Well
Once a functional water well for the campus, the Old Well now has special meaning to Davidson. College lore states that couples who kiss at the well can expect wedding bells in their futures.
Pardon Me, But I Disagree: Civility Rules At Phi-Eu Debate
The traditional Phi-Eu Debate shows that Davidson students can provide what the nation’s political climate needs: the capacity to disagree and debate civilly and respectfully.
Welcoming Our New Students
Move-In
At Davidson College, new students and their families are given a helping hand when it comes to move-in. Faculty, staff, coaches and current students come together to unload your bags and move you into your first year residence hall.
Cake Race
The Cake Race, established in 1930, once helped identify hidden track and field talent in the first year class. Though mandatory in the past, the race has since become a voluntary part of the first-year experience at Davidson with a sweet reward at the end: a homemade cake of students' own choosing.
Flickerball
Flickerball was first created at Davidson College in 1951, when it evolved as an alternative to touch football. First year residence halls still annually compete in intramural Flickerball tournaments, coached by upperclassmen, with the hopes of proving themselves as champions.
Holidays & Celebrations
Commonsgiving
One of the biggest dining events of the year, Commonsgiving is a time when students, faculty and staff gather at Vail Commons for a feast of traditional Thanksgiving entrees and sides, indigenous-inspired recipes, and a LOT of pie.
Christmas in Davidson
Christmas in Davidson is the town of Davidson's annual weekend-long celebration of the holidays. Hosted every year at the beginning of December so our students can enjoy it before heading home for the winter break, the festivities include hot cocoa, a dog fashion show, arts vendors, performers and so much more!
Frolics
Frolics is the annual, multi-day spring festival organized by the Union Board (the college's main student programming group), featuring concerts, lawn parties, activities, inflatables, and food as a major end-of-year celebration for students.
Finals Week De-Stress
Midnight Scream
As students enter exam week, the stress level can build to the point that it can only be released in the form of an ear-splitting scream. The Midnight Scream is a Davidson tradition that happens before the first day of exams as students from across campus come together to affirm that they're all in this together.
Night Owl Breakfast
During finals week, students drop their books, take a break and head to Vail Commons for a late-night breakfast served by their favorite faculty and staff.
Big Fluffy Study Break
On reading days during finals week, Davidson welcomes therapy dogs to campus to provide affection and comfort as students handle the stress that comes with final reviews, papers and exams.
Vibrant Student Experience
Placement Day
A highly anticipated event every winter, "Placement Day" is when new students wishing to join an eating house discover which of the four they’ve been placed in, following a survey and clustering process, marking a major social milestone with house-themed activities and celebrations. It is an exciting part of Davidson’s unique take on Greek life known as the “Patterson Court Council” which encompasses fraternities, sororities and eating houses.
Battle of the Bands
An annual celebration of student-led music on campus every spring, Battle of the Bands offers a platform for bands to compete. Typically hosted outside in the beautiful spring weather by WALT 1610, Davidson's student radio station, performances offer a fun celebration of student music.
Humans vs. Zombies
One of the Union Board's most intense annual events, this game transforms campus for one week each spring as nearly a quarter of the student body participates in a massive game of tag simulating a zombie apocalypse.