Traditions
Celebrating the Simmons community
Traditions are part of what makes Simmons so special. From Founder's Day to the Simmons Soiree, our campus celebrates its legacy in fun and exciting ways. Check out a few of the ways we celebrate our Simmons pride!
Traditions with a Long History at Simmons
Explore the University Archives for the history of some of the oldest traditions and activities that continue bring students together and build bonds that last a lifetime.
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May Day
May Day is the oldest continuous tradition at Simmons. This 100-year-old tradition meets the modern age with the senior and sophomore classes working together. Activities include flower crown making, a strawberry-themed brunch, singing, the maypole dance, and more.
Winter Wonderland
Catch the holiday spirit with res-hall decorating, themed dinners, and an ugly sweater party hosted by first-year students. This tradition loosely grew from the Olde English Dinner.
Shark Week
Seven days of swimming in Shark pride through events like casino night, scavenger hunts, laser tag, cake decorating, and more. Shark Week is an evolution of what originated as Track Day.
Founder's Day
Every year on October 30, we celebrate the birthday of Simmons’ founder, John Simmons with an essay contest, sparkling apple cider, and cake!
Friends and Family Weekend
Every year friends and families of our students come to experience Simmons for themselves. This tradition began as Father-Daughter weekend in the 1960s.
Newer Traditions at Simmons
Candle Lighting Ceremony
A moving tradition that brings first-year students together on their first night to pause and reflect.
Simmons Soiree
Like prom, but fancier! You and your date spend the night dining and dancing at one of Boston’s finest hot spots, like Park Plaza or the State Room.
Traditions and Annual Events in the News
Celebrating Founder’s Week with Storytelling
As part of the University’s Founder’s Week alumnae/i programming, the Office of Advancement hosted a virtual event with author Denise Doherty Pappas ’71, ’85MBA, HT and University Archivist Kelsey Kolbet ’21MA/MS on October 29.
Celebrating John Simmons’ 230th Birthday
On October 30, we celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 230th birthday of John Simmons, whose extraordinary vision continues to shape our University and the lives of generations of students.
Reflections on Women's Equality Day 2026
President Wooten reflects on opening doors, and ensuring that individuals have the education, resources, skills, and confidence to charge through those doors—and the ability to open them for others.
Simmons Celebrates Reunion 2026
Over 220 members of the Simmons community gathered on campus June 5–7 to “reflect, reconnect, and reignite” at Simmons University’s 2026 Reunion, with a special celebration for the 50th Reunion Milestone Class of 1976.
Honoring Juneteenth in Boston
Boston offers a variety of ways to celebrate Juneteenth, involving art, music, dance, food, and a shared remembrance of the history of enslavement and freedom. We offer a list of some key events.
Celebrate Pride Month 2026 in Boston
We have compiled a roundup of local events, communities, and organizations offering opportunities for support and celebration during Pride Month 2026.
STEM Colloquium Celebrates Student Research
Two dozen students presented on a wide range of topics at the STEM Colloquium 2026, presented by the School of Sciences and Health Professions. The event showcased student research, including oral and poster presentations.
Reconstructing Tubman Through Faith, Nature, and Community
The 2026 Robert M. Gay Memorial Lecture featured Tiya Miles, the Michael Garvey Professor of History and Radcliffe Alumnae Professor at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. Miles spoke about spiritual and ecological approaches to reconstructing and understanding Harriet Tubman.