Quinnipiac University
Students inquiring at an Engagement Fair table

Student Life

Events, Activities and Traditions

There are many traditions that help define what it means to be a Bobcat. Quinnipiac emphasizes community through fun and educational traditions and annual events all year long. Learn more about what Quinnipiac has to offer.

Stay in the loop:

Students celebrate Welcome Weekend and meet new friends

Welcome Week

Hundreds of upper-class students assist first-year students with the move-in process, followed by several welcome events including the welcome ceremony, welcome BBQ, and a variety of fun activities. Past events have included bingo, a hypnotist and a late-night lounge party.

The week before the first day of fall semester classes

Welcome Week 2023 recap

group of four people and a small dog pose with Boomer the Quinnipiac mascot

Bobcat Weekend

Each year in the fall, Quinnipiac invites all parents, families and alumni back to the university for a weekend to experience all that our beautiful campuses have to offer. Numerous events are also offered for all Bobcats to participate in, connecting and making new memories along the way.

See all the Bobcat Weekend coverage

Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month

Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated nationally between September 15 and October 15, gives our Quinnipiac community the opportunity to learn about the rich histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestry can be traced to more than 20 countries in Latin America, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

September 15 to October 15

Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month

Fresh Check Day

Fresh Check Day is all about suicide prevention and mental health awareness on campus. This is a collaborative program with the Quinnipiac community and our Hartford HealthCare partners. During the day, students can relax, learn new skills, participate in activities and win giveaways all relating to mental health.

Fresh Check Day 2023 recap

LGBTQ+ History Month

The Quinnipiac community pauses each October to celebrate and observe Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer history.

Month of October

Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is recognized each November and gives our Bobcat family the opportunity to celebrate the many diverse cultures and important contributions of Native and Indigenous communities.

Month of November

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
crowd wearing game day gold Quinnipiac shirts waves rally towels and cheers

Heroes Hat Men’s Ice Hockey Versus Yale Game

The M&T Bank Arena hosts the fiercest rivalry in college hockey each year as the men's ice hockey team hosts the Yale Bulldogs. The winner takes home the Heroes Hat, which honors those who risked or lost their lives following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It remembers Joseph Mascali (FDNY/Staten Island 5), father of Quinnipiac alumni Chris '05, Jenn '02 and Katie Mascali '14.

Read the recap on GoBobcats.com

International Education Week

International Education Week offers us an opportunity to celebrate all the ways that international education benefits the world and the Quinnipiac community.

November

Celebrate International Education Week
Four students wear festive sweaters that spell I heart Q U in front of the illuminated clocktower

Holidays at Quinnipiac

The university community comes together to ring in the holiday season and illuminate the longest nights of the year with holiday lights and cheer at the annual Quad lighting.

Undergraduate, graduate, law and medicine students savor delicious meal together provided by Quinnipiac for a night to remember. Get together with friends and get in the holiday spirit for these annual holiday dinners, a tradition dating back more than 3 decades.

After the Thanksgiving break

Learn more about celebrating the holidays at Quinnipiac

Black History Month

February gives our Bobcat family the opportunity to celebrate the rich history and diverse contributions of the Black American community.

Month of February

Celebrate Black History Month

Women’s History Month

March presents the Quinnipiac community with the opportunity to celebrate the many contributions of women at our university and throughout our society.

Month of March

Celebrate Women’s History Month

Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The university celebrates the enduring contributions of the members of our Asian Pacific Islander community throughout the year, with a special emphasis in April.

Month of April

Celebrate API Heritage Month
female students in pink shirts and colorful tutus wave their hands in the air as they dance

QTHON

QTHON is a year-long fundraising initiative that is celebrated during a day-long dance event led by Quinnipiac students for Connecticut Children’s. During this event, there is dancing, games, music and more as participants anticipate the big fundraising reveal from their efforts.

March 23, 2024
Burt Kahn Court, Recreation and Wellness Center, Mount Carmel Campus

Learn more about QTHON

two female students wear gardening gloves and smile, one holds a small plant in dirt

Big Event

Every year, the university hosts an annual day of service, known as The Big Event, throughout Connecticut where more than 1,600 students, faculty, staff and alumni give back to more than 100 non-profit organizations in local and surrounding areas. 

Saturday, April 13, 2024
8 a.m.
Burt Kahn Court, Recreation and Wellness Center, Mount Carmel Campus

Student grow plants in mini pots during Earth Week

Earth Week

During Earth Week, Quinnipiac students have the opportunity to participate in nourishing activities such as hiking, yoga, the annual Earth Day Fair and an Eco Fashion Show.

Saturday, April 21 - Sunday, April 27, 2024

crowd waves colorful lights as fog rises around the stage with purple lights

Wake the Giant

The Student Programming Board puts on an annual Wake the Giant concert every spring where a chosen headliner performs for the student body. In past years, the school has hosted artists including Khalid, Kesha, Blackbear and Offset. 

Held in the spring; Details to be announced

Commencement

It is our honor to celebrate our graduates each year at our annual Commencement exercises for our eight schools and College of Arts and Sciences.

May 10-12, 2024

Visit commencement.qu.edu

Pride Month

The university celebrates the important contributions of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning community throughout the year, with a special emphasis in June in honor of Pride month.

Month of June

Celebrate Pride

Event Highlights

More calendars and events

Academic Calendars

Academic calendars allow you to plan for the beginning and ending semester dates, significant academic dates, breaks and holidays. This calendar also includes events like Alumni Weekend, Parents and Family Weekend, Orientations, Open Houses, and other special events.

Undergraduate and graduate

School of Law

School of Medicine

Bobcats Athletics

NCAA Division I athletics is an integral part of the Quinnipiac community, bringing together students, alumni and fans around the world. It’s easy to keep up with Quinnipiac Bobcat athletics. All of our men’s and women’s basketball and ice hockey home games are broadcast on ESPN3, and all tickets to home games are free for current students.

Visit GoBobcats.com

Get tickets

Alumni Events

With several events a year held throughout the country, you have a wealth of opportunities to connect with your fellow Quinnipiac alumni. You're invited to Bobcat sporting events, regional gatherings, concerts, campus lectures, volunteer days, as well as career programming.

Browse all alumni event programming