At Oxford College of Emory University, traditions are not just events on a calendar. They are moments that bring students together, turn classmates into friends, and make campus feel like home from the very beginning.

Because Oxford is a close-knit, two-year residential community, traditions play an outsized role in shaping daily life. They give students something to look forward to, something to share, and something to remember long after they move on to Atlanta for their final two years at Emory.

Here are a few of the Oxford traditions that define life on campus.

Oxford Olympics: Starting Together

Orientation week kicks off with one of Oxford’s most anticipated events: Oxford Olympics. New students are grouped into orientation teams and compete in a series of challenges that emphasize teamwork and school spirit.

It’s often the first time students cheer for one another, laugh together, and realize how quickly Oxford starts to feel connected and more personal. The bragging rights may last all year, but the friendships often last much longer.

Pancake Breakfast: Faculty Showing Up for Students

During finals week, stress can be real. That’s when Pancake Breakfast steps in.

Late at night, faculty and staff take over the griddles and serve pancakes to students gearing up for exams. It’s a simple tradition, but a powerful one. Professors are not just teaching in the classroom. They are showing up, literally, to support students when it matters most.

For many students, Pancake Breakfast becomes a reminder that they are known, supported, and cared for at Oxford.

Dooley’s Week: Oxford Spirit on Full Display

Dooley, Emory’s unofficial mascot and “Lord of Misrule,” makes his presence known during Dooley’s Week. Students can expect surprise appearances, themed events, and plenty of energy across campus.

At Oxford, Dooley’s Week blends tradition with humor and creativity. It’s a reminder that college life can be rigorous and joyful at the same time.

Take a Break Tuesday and Paws for a Study Break

Oxford understands balance. Take a Break Tuesday provides snacks, activities, and space to recharge during the academic week. Around finals, Paws for a Study Break brings therapy animals to campus, offering a calm and comforting pause during a high-pressure time.

These traditions reflect something deeper about Oxford: student well-being is taken seriously, and community care is built into campus life.

Oxfest and Spring Festival: Celebrating Together

Oxfest is an annual celebration of art, music, and culture that brings the campus together for a shared cause, often supporting Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Oxford Spring Festival reunites all four Oxford classes who are currently Emory undergraduates, reinforcing the lifelong connection students feel to the campus where they began.

These events highlight Oxford’s emphasis on creativity, service, and lasting relationships.

Why Traditions Matter at Oxford

Oxford traditions work because the campus is small by design. Students see familiar faces every day. They walk to class together. They eat together. Traditions don’t feel like add-ons. They feel like part of everyday life.

For students who want a strong sense of belonging, meaningful connections with faculty, and a college experience that feels personal from day one, Oxford’s traditions are more than memories in the making. They are the foundation of the community itself.

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