Campus Traditions
From Welcome Rallies to kick off the fall semester to pancake study break during final exams, PNW campus traditions bring our community together all year long.
Homecoming
PNW’s annual Homecoming celebration offers a blend of favorite traditions and exciting new events. From the week-long Chancellor’s Cup to benefit the PNW Food Pantry to Sports Fest at Dowling Park, there are chances for everyone in the PNW community to have fun and get involved!
Welcome Week
Celebrate the new academic year at Welcome Week!
Purdue Northwest’s annual Welcome Rallies are a fun-filled way to kick off each new academic year as student organizations and campus departments share information and swag. There’s a good chance our mascot, Leo, is on the prowl too.
Onward PNW
Fight Song of Purdue University Northwest
Onward Purdue Northwest
Without a hint of fear.
The Pride salutes you, the Region’s best
We’re with you loud and clear.
Onward Purdue Northwest
The Lion’s Pride can see
Our teams’ strong will, their heart and skill
For a swift Pride victory!
In the Heart of the Calumet
Alma Mater of Purdue University Northwest
In the heart of the Calumet region
Near Lake Michigan’s dune-covered shores
Is our treasured and dear alma mater
Whose praise we sing once more:
Black and gold our colors,
Mighty is our roar,
The Pride of our Purdue Northwest
Our hearts will e’er adore.
Campus Traditions in Action
Join the campus community in celebrating the start of PNW basketball season at Late Night Madness! This event is filled with food, games, contests and prizes.
Students can take a study break and smash that stress by throwing some pumpkins off the parking garage top floor during Pumpkin Week!
If throwing pumpkins doesn't interest you, launching them off the parking garage is another stress-relief option!
Have you ever been studying so much that you need a pancake? The Office of Student Life and PNW Housing has your back! Whether you need a break from studying for your organic chemistry final or you’re just procrastinating on that final paper, the PNW Pancake Study Break is ready to provide you with the fuel to get you through!
This all-you-can-eat Pancake Study Break provides students with several other well-loved breakfast items.
PNW Intramural Sports coordinator Matt Dudzik’s motto is “What’s Your Game?” From traditional sports, like volleyball and basketball, to niche activities, such as laser tag or fishing, PNW Intramural Sports is a great way to get active, relieve stress and make friends.
Whether you are a current student or alumni, Homecoming is a great time to catch up with friends and celebrate PNW.
Purdue Northwest celebrates its outstanding graduates during fall and spring commencement ceremonies. Commencement is a joyous tradition celebrating candidates’ academic accomplishments as their degrees are conferred.
Starting a college journey can be a big step and new experience. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The “It’s All New To Me Too Picnic” and other activities during PNW’s Welcome Week are a great way to make new introductions and meet peers who might be feeling the same way you are.
The Purdue Northwest community is eager to lend a helping hand for its newest residents. PNW Police Department officers also serve up great eats at the annual “Cookout with a Cop.”
Upcoming Events
Jul 14
Summer Community ReadingJoin the Purdue University Northwest College of Nursing’s Summer Community Reading program launching June 22; collect badges and earn prizes by participating in the community read!
Jul 16
Free Outdoor Movie Night: The LEGO Movie (2014)Join the Office of Student Life for a free showing of The LEGO Movie (2014).
Jul 17
Acorn Concert Series: Second Hand News (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)Immerse yourself in the timeless magic of Fleetwood Mac with Second Hand News, a revitalizing tribute at the 2026 Acorn Concert Series!
Jul 22
Graduate Students – Final Exam Deadline for August CAND 99100 RegistrantsGraduate students for whom a final examination is required must complete all requirements for the examination by July 22, 2026.