With a rich history dating back to 1906, it should be no surprise that OBU cherishes many special traditions.
When you think of traditions, you may reflect on fond memories with a sense of nostalgia. Life is enriched by meaningful traditions we hold dear. At OBU, traditions are an integral part of our campus community that help students make memories that last a lifetime.
Welcome Week
A beloved OBU tradition is Welcome Week, held the first week of every fall semester. Tri-W’s (Welcome Week Workers), upperclassmen, faculty, and staff are all eager to welcome our new students. They greet each incoming freshman’s car with cheers and celebration, giving them a warm welcome. Tri-W’s and upperclassmen shake incoming students’ cars with enthusiasm and help carry every last item to the students’ dorm rooms. This act of service to the new freshmen and transfer students is a gesture of kindness to welcome and honor them as they prepare for life at OBU. Throughout this action-packed and fun-filled week, current and returning students mix and mingle with special campus activities, like Ka-Rip Wars and The Walk.
The Walk
The Walk takes place on Tuesday night during Welcome Week and features all new students walking silently from the Oval to the steps of Raley Chapel. It symbolizes The Walk that will be taken in four short years on graduation day. During this special evening, OBU upperclassmen, Tri-W’s, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community greet the new students outside the chapel. The freshmen see firsthand, the amount of support and enthusiasm others offer as they begin their journey on Bison Hill.
Spirit Chant
Ka-Rip is a tradition that has been booming since its creation in 1918. A fun, spirit chant, Ka-Rip is often heard at sporting events and other large gatherings, where the students recite the chant in unity, with great enthusiasm and intensity.
The Beanie
During Welcome Week, the OBU Beanie is worn to distinguish new students from returning students. This special green and gold beanie has been worn for more than a century by past incoming students. It serves as an indicator to upper class students to extend a hand of friendship, guidance, and service to new students as they become familiar with campus life and anticipate their new journey.
The Weekend
The Weekend is OBU’s annual Homecoming celebration combined with Family Weekend and Bison Day! There's truly something for everyone: alumni, students, prospective students, families and friends. Everyone is invited home to gather, to connect and to celebrate. All members of the OBU family and community can enjoy this memorable and meaningful weekend. We look forward to seeing you!
Discover More about The Weekend!
The People
While it may or may not classify as a tradition, it’s important to mention our people. What makes our campus and college so special is the people and the community they create. It’s a tradition for this university to cultivate joyful people who attend and graduate from OBU.
“One of the things I love about OBU is the community, and the thing about OBU, is that special sense of community never goes away,” says Coe. “I made lifelong friends at OBU who are now miles and miles away, but every time we come back together, it really feels just a short time ago when we were making memories on campus.”
Are you ready to become a Bison and experience these traditions first-hand? Apply to OBU today. We can’t wait to meet you!