Every freshman is matched with a Big Sister from the junior class, who helps her get settled and offers advice and encouragement throughout the two years they share together on campus. Big and Little Sisters often become life-long friends. Freshman are presented a beanie, or dink, in their class color as a symbol of class unity.
Students show off their dinks, which they received as freshmen.
The official College colors are blue and gray, perhaps symbolizing the Union blue and the Confederate gray uniforms of the Civil War. At Convocation, seniors receive a pin from the Alumnae Association. Corde et Mente et Manu means Heart and Mind and Hand. The first dance of the academic year called the Freshman Bash attracts students from many area colleges and universities. Beginning in freshman year, each class decorates a banner that is displayed in the Dining Hall, and every year adds a symbol or design.