Spirit and Traditions - Student Affairs

Signature Events and Traditions at KSU

At Kennesaw State, traditions and signature events tell our shared story to bring us together as an engaged and caring community. Through campus traditions such as Week of Welcome, Slap the Rock, Scrappy Hour, Homecoming, Pumpkin Launch, and KSU Day, students learn about what connects and grounds us as a campus community, inspiring their own journey of self-discovery and purpose.

Weeks of Welcome

Join the KSU community and participate in several exciting events to kick off the new semester! All Weeks of Welcome events are free to current students upon presenting a Talon Card. It is a great opportunity to check lots of items off your Scrappy's Bucket List.

WOW Events

Fall Signature Events

First-Year Convocation and Splash Bash

First-Year Convocation and Splash Bash is the official welcome to KSU for all new FLIGHT students! Meet other FLIGHT students in your class, take your class photo, hear from KSU administration, and then enjoy Splash Bash on the Campus Green afterward! Make sure to wear your FLIGHT jersey.

First Day Cake and Stuff-an-Owl

It's not Weeks of Welcome without our Annual First Day of School Cake with the President AND Stuff-an-Owl! Stop by on the first day of classes in August to grab a slice of cake with President Schwaig. The Stuff-an-Owl event takes place during Weeks of Welcome in Fall and Spring.

Scrappy Hour

Enjoy a break between classes with your favorite Owl with an ice cream float and take home a Scrappy Hour souvenir cup. During the winter months, you can enjoy a cookie and hot chocolate.

1st and 3rd Thursdays in Kennesaw (Student Center)
2nd and 4th Thursdays in Marietta (Atrium Building)
Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Scrappy Hour Events

FLIGHT Runout

The Annual FLIGHT Runout takes place during the first home opener KSU Owls football game of the season. First-Year students wear their FLIGHT jerseys and run across the field before the KSU Owls football team storms the field. This is a once in a lifetime experience that new students do not want to miss.

Homecoming

Experience the excitement of KSU's Homecoming #KSUHOCO - a week filled with spirited celebrations, Owl Cup competitions, Homecoming Parliament, and a true sense of community. Don your school colors, join the festivities, and create lasting memories with friends. Hooty Hoo!

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Pumpkin Launch

Pumpkin Launch, a Kennesaw State University event that began over a decade ago, is a fierce competition for mechanical engineering students in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET). Spectators can watch teams launch their pumpkins from trebuchets across the Marietta Soccer Field to see who can smash their pumpkins the furthest.

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Spring Signature Events

Geek Week

Welcome to Geek Week, a celebration of all the joy that comes from gaming, robots, cosplay, math, comics, and more! Each year, Kennesaw State hosts a number of events, including Owl Con, across both campuses that seek to engage the inner and outer geeks among the KSU community. All events are free for students and most are open to community members as well.

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KSU Day

Spring is more than a time for finals and commencement, it’s also time for the KSU community to gather and celebrate with a pair of fun days of activities – KSU Day. KSU Day dates to the early days of the institution when it was known as Kennesaw Junior College.

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KSU Day of Service

KSU Day of Service includes students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members serving together at many sites. Everyone can find an opportunity to fit their interests!

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More KSU Traditions

Scrappy Owl Mascot

The embodiment of KSU — he’s loyal, confident, and a little smug. Scrappy has been KSU’s beloved owl for years, and he’s always ready to welcome you with open wings and Owl Eyes.

Hooty Hoo and Owl Eyes

Used as a greeting, exclamation, or battle cry, yelling “Hooty Hoo!” is our favorite way to show everyone KSU’s radiant energy and relentless spirit

Owl Eyes, coined by our very own Scrappy the Owl, serve as a symbol that unifies us without having to say anything at all.

Black and Gold Fridays

On the day that Kennesaw State unveiled its inaugural football uniforms, it also included an official declaration that every Friday will be "Black and Gold Friday". Students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community are encouraged to wear black and gold to display their school spirit.

War Chant

Originating from the Marching Owls in 2015, hear and yell this chant at every game.

You don't want to go to war,

With the Owls.

With the Owls!

You don't want to go to war,

With the Owls.

With the Owls!

Scrappy's Bucket List

Can you complete 63 before your degree? Finding new ways to get involved on campus is easy with Scrappy's Bucket List (SBL)! With over 100+ items on the list, including Scrappy Selfies, attending events on this page, and other activities on campus, students will experience everything KSU has to offer outside of the classroom. The 63 signifies the year Kennesaw State was founded in 1963.

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Family Weekend

Family Weekend is a celebration of academics, athletics, entertainment, and involvement at KSU. Parents and family members come together for a jam-packed weekend of fun events.

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Student Affairs Awards

In 2016, the Division created the Student Affairs Awards Ceremony to honor their outstanding achievements and recognize exemplary commitment to Kennesaw State University. The Student Affairs mission states, “our students will achieve success through practical application of knowledge by becoming engaged ethical leaders who serve their local and global communities.” The ceremony is the embodiment of that practical application and provides an opportunity to applaud the success of many individuals and programs.

Student Affairs Student Awards & Selection Criteria

The Student Affairs Student Awards consists of four categories-leadership, connections and belonging, civic engagement, and community and school spirit. Each category will have an award recipient for one student, one student group (registered student organization, fraternity, sorority, intramural team, club sport team, group sponsored by a department), and one program/event.

The minimum qualifications for all nominees include: good academic standing (student), good standing with regard to conduct (student, student organization/group), good standing with sponsoring department (student organization/group).

Nominations for 2025 Student Affairs Student Leadership Awards are now closed.

2025 Awards Ceremony

Wednesday, April 23rd

Carmichael Student Center University Rooms

Formal attire

Family and friends overflow space available through RSVP

parent and family rsvp form

5 pm Doors Open

5:30 pm Dinner Served

6 pm Ceremony

7:30 pm Close of Program