Traditions
Get the full college experience at SHSU with Bearkat Alley—our spirited tailgate tradition during football season. Before every home game, enjoy free food, games, and giveaways hosted by student organizations and campus departments right outside Bowers Stadium. From t-shirts to spirit towels, you’ll find plenty of Bearkat pride to take home.
In the fall, invite your family to join the fun during Bearkat Family Weekend. Enjoy a weekend packed with events like a welcome breakfast, academic open houses, a family luncheon, and, of course, Bearkat Alley tailgating before the big game. It’s a great way to share your campus life with the people who matter most—while making lifelong memories.
Bearkat Camp is an overnight experience for incoming SHSU Freshmen hosted by Campus Recreation. New students experience the spirit, pride and tradition that have been part of Sam Houston students since 1879. Incoming freshmen are engaged in learning activities that are interactive, and student led. Camp keeps students moving with a variety of group activities like competitions, pride groups, socials and optional activities like sand volleyball, basketball, ropes course, and a giant water catapult called the blob. Bearkat Camp provides opportunities for students to build lasting friendships with many other members of the freshman class…friendships that allow students to feel connected and at home as they become part of the Bearkat community.
Every Friday at SHSU is a chance to show your school spirit! Bearkat Spirit Friday encourages students, faculty, and staff to wear orange and white to celebrate what it means to be a Bearkat. Join a campus-wide tradition that builds community and pride—with chances to score fun giveaways just for repping SHSU gear. It’s an easy, fun way to get involved and feel connected from your very first semester.
At SHSU, tradition runs deep—including the belief that only graduating Bearkats may walk beneath the iconic Ron & Ruth Blatchley Bell Tower. Bell Tower Bound celebrates this milestone, inviting seniors to walk under the tower for the first time—marking their transformation from student to graduate. It’s a powerful tradition that honors your hard work and connects you to generations of Bearkats who came before you.
Homecoming is a week-long celebration filled with campus spirit, friendly competition, and time-honored traditions. Join the excitement at events like Sam Jam, a student nightlife festival where the Homecoming Court is revealed, and cheer on your favorite student orgs as they compete for prizes during the Student Org Competition. Enjoy the festive parade—complete with floats, the Bearkat Marching Band, and our university president leading the way. Cap off the week at Bearkat Alley and the big Homecoming football game. It’s one of SHSU’s oldest and most beloved traditions—and a chance to make memories that will last long after graduation.
As SHSU’s oldest tradition, March 2 the Grave connects you to Texas history and Bearkat legacy. Held every March 2—General Sam Houston’s birthday and Texas Independence Day—students, faculty, alumni, and the Huntsville community march from campus to Oakwood Cemetery for a special ceremony at Sam Houston’s gravesite.
With speeches from dignitaries and Sam Houston’s descendants, plus a pre-ceremony breakfast at the historic Gibbs-Powell Home, this tradition offers a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate the roots of SHSU and the state of Texas.
New Student Convocation is your formal welcome to SHSU—a meaningful event where you’re officially inducted into the Bearkat community by President Alisa White. Surrounded by university leaders, faculty, and fellow new students, you'll be recognized as an SHSU Bearkat and begin your college journey with pride.
After the ceremony, say goodbye to your family and jump into Bearkat Kickoff activities, where the fun, friendships, and memories begin. It’s more than a welcome—it’s the start of something big. For more information, contact the First Year Experience Office, at 936.294.2227 or fye@shsu.edu.
One of SHSU’s oldest and most cherished traditions, the Tree of Light Ceremony brings the campus together each December for a heartwarming holiday celebration. Enjoy festive carols, the president’s official tree lighting, and the unique SHSU tradition of jingling your keys to “Jingle Bells.” Students also donate canned goods to support local families in need.
Before the ceremony, the Tree of Light Festival invites students to enjoy fun activities and explore winter holiday traditions from around the world. It’s a joyful way to celebrate the season, connect with others, and give back—Bearkat style.
On January 9, 1962, Sam Houston State’s beloved unofficial mascot, Tripod, passed away. The “mustard-colored mutt” had been part of campus life for over fifteen years, joining students at parades, football games, and dorm dinners.
Despite an old leg injury that left him walking on three legs, Tripod was cared for by students who ensured he never lacked food, affection, or medical care.
He was laid to rest on January 12 on the hill in front of Old Main. The Student Senate served as pallbearers, the ROTC offered a three-gun salute, and President Harmon Lowman led the tribute. Hundreds of students attended his funeral, and later, a monument was placed in his honor reading:
“TRIPOD, 1941–1962, Beloved mascot, loyal supporter, friend of Students.”
(Courtesy of the Newton Gresham Library – Episode 28: Jan. 3, 2008)
The Sammys is SHSU’s prestigious annual awards ceremony that celebrates outstanding student leaders and organizations across campus. This official university ceremony recognizes exceptional contributions through multiple award categories, including seven individual college awards, seventeen individual and organizational awards, the Sam Houston Cane Award for university entities that contribute to spirit and tradition, and four prestigious Sammy Awards for graduating students and faculty/staff members who have made outstanding contributions to the university. The selection process involves a comprehensive committee with representatives from various university offices and colleges, ensuring a thorough evaluation of nominees. The ceremony serves as a wonderful opportunity for the entire SHSU community to recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements of students who embody the university's values of leadership, service, and excellence.
The Ring Ceremony, first held in 2004, was established to create a new tradition for those who purchase the official University ring. The official ring was unveiled during the 2003 homecoming festivities and was designed by a committee comprised of student representatives, alumni, and university administrators and faculty. The goal of the committee was to develop a distinctive design that would reflect pride in Sam Houston State University, would be easily identifiable, and would stand the test of time.
The ring design comprises, on one side of the ring, a representation of Sam Houston, the year of the student’s graduation, and “1879,” the year Sam Houston Normal Institute was established to educate and train teachers. Austin Hall is depicted on the opposite side, with a bit of the “footprint” of Old Main near its steps. The crest of the ring includes a background star symbolizing the State of Texas, and a raised “SH,” the official university logo adopted in 2001. Cast into the inside of the ring is the word “Honor.” When Sam Houston joined the U.S. Army in 1813, Elizabeth Houston (Sam's mother) understood her son’s decision. She placed a small gold band on his finger with a one-word inscription – HONOR.
Welcome Week occurs during the first weeks of the fall and spring semester. These 2 weeks serve to welcome new students to campus and returning students back to campus with multiple fun events, intentional programs and resources. Various events sponsored by Campus Activities & Traditions and multiple other departments/organizations comprise this grand welcoming. Welcome Week is traditionally kicked off after Bearkat Kickoff and continues with exciting events such as the Sammy's Lip Sync Battle, Bearkat Picnic, Organization Fairs, Sneak Peek at Greek and our annual Bingo Night!
