Student Handbook

Trinity Traditions

Since its founding in 1897, Trinity traditions and celebrations have grown to become an integral part of the Trinity experience. Trinity students today continue to enjoy some of the most venerable traditions, including:

Class Colors

The first graduating class at Trinity, the class of 1904, chose the class color Red to bequeath to the Class of 1908. Since then, the four class colors, Red, Blue, Green and Gold, have been handed down by the Senior class to the incoming first year class. Class colors identify Trinity students and graduates across generations.

Class Days

Each class sponsors a celebration on a specific day during the academic year. The class color is worn all day. Classes may often decorate the Well in their class colors. Class days are generally celebrated during the following months: October – Blue; November – Gold; February – Red; March – Green.

Cap and Gown Weekend

Trinity seniors receive their caps and gowns at the Cap and Gown Convocation on the first Saturday in October. Receipt of the cap and gown is a cherished moment in the lives of Trinity undergraduates, a recognition of the achievement of at least 92 academic credits, and entrance into senior year. Families and friends gather for the Convocation and President's Reception following the ceremony. On Sunday morning, the seniors process to Notre Dame Chapel for the solemn Cap and Gown Liturgy, following which they gather in Alumnae Hall with their families for a festive brunch. The weekend ceremonies conclude with the fun and festive Courtyard Sing attended by students from all classes wearing their class colors. Seymour Court is also festooned in the colors of the classes. At the Courtyard Sing, the first year class also receive their first symbol of membership in the Trinity community, their class banner.

Junior Ring

Members of the Junior class receive their Class rings in a special ceremony in October. Students may order their Class rings for this occasion or they may use other rings they already own.

Sophomore Pin

As Sophomores begin to declare their majors and move into a new phase of their academic career, Trinity celebrates by issuing each Sophomore a gold "TC" pin at a special ceremony marking the occasion.

Honor Ceremony and First Year Medal – The Trinity Medal

Shortly after mid-terms in the first semester, the first year students participate in an important ceremony marking another point of their entrance into the Trinity Community. The Honor Ceremony and receipt of the First Year Medal(The Trinity Medal) provides an occasion for first year students to reflect on the meaning of the Honor System. The Trinity Medal bonds the new first year students to the many generations who have worn this medal since Trinity's earliest days.

Christmas and Holiday Celebrations

Just before final examination period, students decorate the Marble Corridor and Social Hall with greens and trees, and they enjoy the Winter Ball (aka the "Holly Hop"). Around the same time, seniors lead other students in a Well Sing with holiday carols.

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Trinity Honor Societies and Awards

Recognition of excellence in academics and service is a major part of the Trinity tradition. Following are the major honor societies and awards that recognize student achievement:

Academic Honor Societies

• Phi Beta Kappa, established at Trinity in 1971, recognizes undergraduate students who meet high standards of academic excellence.
   
• Alpha Sigma Lambda was inaugurated at Trinity in 1986 and recognizes the special achievement of adults who demonstrate academic excellence while facing competing interests at home and work.
   
• Psi Chi is the honor society recognizing achievements of Psychology majors.
   
• Pi Sigma Alpha is the honor society recognizing achievements of Political Science majors.

Academic and Institutional Awards

• St. Catherine Medal is awarded by Kappa Gamma Pi National Scholastic and Activity Honor Society of Catholic Women's Colleges to the Junior who has set a high standard of scholarship or who has rendered some specific outstanding service to the University. The award is presented on Cap and Gown Sunday of the student's Senior year.
   
• Mary Boyle McCrory Award for Excellence in Writing - Established by Angela McCrory Kilroy, Class of 1949, in honor of her mother who was an English major in the Class of 1922 and Editor of the Trinilogue, this award is presented to the graduating Senior whose academic work shows great potential in the field of writing. Typically, the awardee is from the English department and has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater in her English course work. Preference is given to a student with exceptional creative writing ability.
   
• Modern Language Prize for achievement in modern languages is given at Commencement to a Senior demonstrating excellence in more than one foreign language. The award, established by Dr. Thomas W. Grzebien, is given in memory of his late wife, Edna Dwyer Grzebien, of the Class of 1922.
   
• Ann Crook Coluzzi Award for Teacher Interns honors an exemplary student teacher in the field of education that has demonstrated excellence in academics, personal and ethical character, communication skills and professional performance.
   
• T-Pin Award is given to several students from the Senior class who have attained high scholastic standards, and whose character and good sportsmanship render them most representative of the University's ideals. The T-Pin is awarded on Founder's Day.
   
• Mary Murray McArdle Award was established by Paul F. McArdle, Charles P. McArdle, and E. Murray McArdle in honor of their mother, Mary Murray McArdle of the Class of 1908. It is awarded at Commencement to the Senior who, in addition to maintaining satisfactory scholastic standing, has displayed the ideals characteristic of Trinity and who has consistently, in a quiet but marked manner, contributed by her spirit of cooperation to the corporate spirit of the University.
   
• Special Service awards are given on Founders' Day to seniors who have demonstrated exemplary leadership or given outstanding service to the University through one or more campus activities.
   
• Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges . Each fall a number of Seniors are nominated by students and faculty for inclusion in the current year's Who's Who. The selection committee considers students' scholarship, participation and leadership in extra-curricular activities, and service to the University and community.

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