Traditions are a sweet reminder of times past, especially when those traditions bring friends together, old and new alike. With its rich history, Shorter University has accrued many traditions that students enjoy every year.

Did your favorite SU tradition make our list?

Homecoming

Each year homecoming is the event of the semester. Current students enjoy a wide array of activities hosted by many different organizations and sports teams throughout homecoming week. Shorter alumni are invited back to campus to reunite with classmates and faculty. Homecoming is celebrated throughout homecoming week, and most activities are held during homecoming weekend. Each year the student body selects a homecoming king and queen, and crowns the duo during halftime of the homecoming football game.

Secret Sophomore Sabots

One of the longest standing traditions at Shorter is the secret sophomore sabots. This is a group of sophomores that are secretly selected each year to carry on the honor/traditions of the previous classes. The society was formed in an effort to spread school spirit and encourage peers through decorating of campus (all while undercover). The class of 2017 was the 78th sabot class to serve Shorter’s campus. The sabots serve in secret until their big reveal at the end of the school year, where humorous pictures of the sabots decorate campus buildings revealing their sabot identities. Fun fact: the sophomore sabots were the group that first began dying Shorter’s fountains, and now the university frequently colors the fountains for special events.

Convocation 

Shorter kicks off the each school year with convocation to congratulate seniors for reaching their senior year and to welcome the incoming freshmen class. Administration address the student body and provide words of encouragement and motivation to ring in the new school year. This tradition is held in the WKC (Winthrop King Center) and followed by the entering of the gates.

The Gates “Enter to Learn” “Go Forth to Serve Christ”

Following convocation, the freshmen class is led to the front circle to enter the gates. Two gates frame Shorter’s front circle. One reads “Enter to Learn,” and the second reads “Go Forth to Serve Christ.” The gates are opened twice a year, once for the freshmen class to enter, and once for the senior class to “Go Forth.” This tradition provides a special environment where professors stand and applaud their future students in welcome at the beginning of the year. Upon the end of the school year, professors line the “Go Forth” gate to congratulate students set to walk at graduation. This truly is a special tradition on the Hill.

Late Night Breakfast

This savory tradition has been feeding hungry college students for almost a decade. During finals week each semester, faculty and staff serve students traditional breakfast foods (biscuits, sausage, pancakes, grits, bacon, and more) at 11pm. (Yes, professors are actually seen outside of their classrooms and out late.) This is a perfect late night snack and study break for all preparing for their final exams. The caf comes alive on this weeknight with music, raffles, and, of course, the energy of the students and faculty.

Student Appreciation Day

Each semester student life puts together a day to celebrate our students in a special way. Yes, this means FREE things. Each student appreciation day is unique, but you’re always guaranteed food, goodies, games, and smiling faces. Each year new and creative things are incorporated to celebrate students and show them love.

Celebrate Shorter

We are excited to welcome a new tradition to the Hill! Celebrate Shorter celebrates the accomplishments of students throughout the school year by providing them the opportunity to share their research and work with their peers and professors. This event displays just a taste of the great students and research taking place on campus every year, and, of course, refreshments are included! The first Celebrate Shorter was actually hosted this past school year.