The Dean's Dinner, held during Orientation, is a time for first-year students to gather as a class with the William Smith deans, the director of Alumnae Relations, recent graduates and student leaders. Alumnae from the previous graduating class take this opportunity to pass on to the new first-years their class color, a tradition established by the founding class to create class unity.
On four sunny afternoons during the first few weeks of the fall semester, first-year students are treated to old-fashioned ice cream sundaes served up by the deans themselves. This is a fun way for first-year students to meet the deans on an informal basis and to share with us some of their first impressions of college life here at William Smith.
Each year, William Smith students come together to pay tribute to William Smith, founder of the College. After dinner, distinguished alumnae speakers share their experiences both while at William Smith and after graduation.
Held in the spring, Moving-Up Day is the oldest and most academically related traditional event William Smith College celebrates. All classes "move up" as seniors "commence" as graduates and leave their class space to the juniors, the juniors to the sophomores and the sophomores to the first-years. The traditional procession up the William Smith Hill is led by the seniors. Each class carries a banner for the procession. At the ceremony, academic and community prizes and awards are presented. Humorous "class legacies" from each class and the singing of the alma mater close the ceremony.
At the beginning of the fall semester, the College celebrates the beginning of the academic year and the anniversary of the first time William Smith College opened its doors in September, 1908. This event also honors the newest members of the Laurel Society and features a presentation by a noted alumna who takes us to an earlier time in our history.
To celebrate the end of Women’s History Month, the William Smith Dean’s Office sponsors the Famous Women’s Dinner. William Smith students dress in costume and appear at the dinner in character as famous women from throughout history. During the dinner, each gives a brief dramatic introduction to her character. Past famous women have included Cleopatra, Eva Peron, Queen Elizabeth I, Sojourner Truth and many more. It is a fun evening and a great end-of-winter activity.
The newest version of the William Smith big sister/little sister program, Sidekicks provides an opportunity for upper class students to welcome and meet first-year women. Through the program, upper class students can be a mentor and friend, and first-year students re-energize upper class students with their enthusiasm and excitement.
2008 - yellow - loyalty and joy
2009 - red - respect and passion
2010 - green - fidelity and friendship
2011 - blue - faith and hope