image of students with ja campbell statue

Our Traditions

Activities and traditions that go as far back as our founding unite our past, present and future students. Discover what it means to be Campbell proud.

First 50 Days The First 50 Days event series is a new tradition aimed to help welcome you into the Campbell family and find your place in the Creek.

New Student Convocation & Medallion Ceremony We welcome new students at a ceremony where they receive a medallion pressed with the university seal. The gift marks the start of their academic journey at Campbell.

Wear Orange Wednesday When you join the Campbell community, you join a student body that shows their pride on and off the bleachers. Wear your brightest orange on Wednesdays to let everyone know you're on the home team.

Kivett Bell The Kivett Bell once rang from the iconic Kivett Hall to signal the changing of classes. Now the bell rings after every Fighting Camels touchdown at Barker-Lane Stadium.

Rub the ’Stache Needing some good luck before a big test or final exams? Give J.A. Campbell’s moustache a rub. Students started this tradition after we installed the J.A. Campbell statue in 2015. It must work. It stuck.

Ring Ceremony Juniors and seniors receive their official class rings on Family Weekend. Campbell ROTC cadets escort the rings from the bell tower to Butler Chapel to pay homage to history. West Point started class ring ceremonies in 1835.

Camel Run Tunnel We invite our first-year students to take the field at the first home football game of the season. Why? So they can form a tunnel as our Fighting Camels run onto the field.

Gaylord the Camel Our mascot made his first appearance in 1934. Today, you can see him strutting at Fighting Camels home games and even riding around main campus on his tricycle. More about our Mascot

Homecoming The campus community comes together to welcome alumni home and to celebrate Campbell with tailgates, a parade, and athletics contests, including a home football game. More about Homecoming

Tree Lighting Ceremony Even though school’s out in December, we are full of Christmas spirit. We start singing carols and hymns in November with the lighting of our tree on the Academic Circle. Hot chocolate included.

Founders Week We celebrate our founding in 1887 the first week of February each year with a tribute to our founders and an introspection on where we came from. More about Founders Week

Midnight Breakfast Midnight Breakfast occurs twice a year on the eve of exams. Gaylord's Kitchen opens late and serves a full spread of eggs, bacon, pancakes, toast, and waffles. Free T-shirts, too.

Our Motto

“Ad Astra per Aspera,” or “to the stars through difficulties”

Our Fight Song

Fight, team on down the field
Fight with your might till victory is ours
Long may your colors wave o’ver all others
Sing it to the tune of hoorah for orange and black
So cheer, cheer for old CU
Cheer for the varsity
For it’s hail, hail, the gang’s all here
As we march on to victory.

Our Alma Mater

We hail our gracious Alma Mater
Singing this glad refrain,
We’ll honor her with all our might,
and cherish every vein.

Chorus
Come and sing to dear ol’ Campbell,
pledge a tribute, too.
We’ll praise her for all her merit,
and honor her with truth.
We yield to her our true allegiance,
Raising her banner high,
We’ll stand with her thru peace and strife,
her name will never die.