Get Ready to Celebrate These Time-Honored Chatham Traditions
Three second-year students make decorations for the 1955 Christmas Dance, now known as Holiday Ball. (Chatham University Archives and Special Collections / Historic Pittsburgh)
An institution as old as Chatham University has a whole lot of traditions. They offer bursts of fun amid the academic year. They connect us with the University’s history, while reminding us of the importance of enjoying the present. And, they’re a great reason for our campus community to come together—often over good food.
Here are a few Chatham traditions that we’re celebrating this year.
Students and their loved ones get a rare chance to spend time on campus together during Friends and Family Weekend. (Phil Pavely)
Family and Friends Weekend
Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 — Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023
Various locations
Every year, students and their loved ones get the chance to enjoy time together at Chatham and throughout Pittsburgh. This year, events include brunch at the Esther Barazzone Center at Eden Hall campus and a Pirates game at PNC Park.
Students in Halloween garb taste and serve mocktails. (Phil Pavely)
Halloween dinner and mocktails
Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023
Anderson Dining Hall
Since the 1970s, students have gathered for dinner and, frequently, mocktails to celebrate this spooky autumn holiday. This year, it’s in Anderson Dining Hall on Halloween night. Students can taste and judge mocktails served up by different student organizations. Dress up, drink up, and speak up for your favorite drink!
Students enjoy a family-style meal during Harvest Dinner. (Liam Lyons)
Harvest Dinner
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023
Anderson Dining Hall
Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln just six years prior to Chatham’s 1869 founding. Naturally, this makes Thanksgiving Dinner one of the oldest traditions at the University. In recent years, a student-led movement, concerned with historic injustices against indigenous Americans by European settlers, pushed to rename the event to Harvest Dinner. What hasn’t changed is the act of gathering for a family-style meal with students, faculty, and staff to share gratitude and community.
Lighting candles, sipping eggnog, and dancing the night away are all part of Chatham’s annual holiday celebration. (Liam Lyons)
Holiday celebrations
Friday, Dec. 1, 2023
Campbell Memorial Chapel, Mellon Board Room
A trio of three interlocking events – Candlelight, Eggnog, and Holiday Ball, respectively – make up this evening of festivities honoring the winter holiday season. Since the 1950s, students have used this tradition as an excuse to wear their best clothes, gather in the chapel for holiday music, sip eggnog in Mellon Center, and end the night with a dance. As always, it will start with a candlelit gathering in Campbell Memorial Chapel. The dance will be held in Mellon Board Room.
Students delight in eating eggs and other breakfast food in the nighttime. (Kyle Ferreira)
Moonlight Breakfast
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023
Anderson Dining Hall
After the jolly of the Holiday Ball comes the jitters that accompany the approach of finals. Moonlight Breakfast gives students the chance to release that studying-induced stress with a free nighttime meal of bacon, eggs, and other favorites. You’ll also see Chatham faculty and staff helping in the kitchen! This year, students can enter a raffle for prizes.
Learn more about our traditions here, and check the Happenings page on MyChatham to stay updated on upcoming events.