Student Activities

Student Activities provides support for student groups in order to plan and implement social, cultural, educational, and service programs on campus.  Programs include events such as: Fall Lawn, poetry readings, hypnotists, movies under the stars, battle of the bands, Fall Fest, and many other exciting events. 

Salem students make friends and socialize with students from many nearby institutions. (Some students wouldn't miss a Wake Forest football game!). Neighboring campuses include Wake Forest University, UNC School of the Arts, Winston-Salem State University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, High Point University, and Greensboro College. Other campuses in our area include Guilford College, Davidson College and Duke.

Many students enjoy visiting the Arts District in downtown Winston-Salem or listening to music at one of the local hot spots. Others like to stroll through the village of Old Salem and explore the rich heritage of our institution.

Throughout the year students benefit from Salem's four major dance weekends –Fall Lawn, Semi-formal, Winter Formal and Spring Cocktail.

A number of traditions exist within the Salem College community such as Fall Fest, the Christmas Candlelight Service, Big Sis/ Little Sis, Sophomore-Senior Banquet, the Founders Day Celebration and Commencement Weekend festivities.

For social activity and event planning information contact:

Brooke Barber, Director of Student Activities
brooke.barber@salem.edu
(336) 917-5000

Here is a description of various traditions and events that occur yearly at Salem:

Opening Convocation: Formal opening ceremony for the academic year held in Hanes Auditorium. Classes process to the ceremony behind their class banners. Seniors wear caps and gowns and traditionally wear funny or outrageous shoes.

Big Sis/Lil Sis:  First-year students receive junior “Big Sister” matchups the day before Fall Fest. Big Sisters serve to introduce their Little Sisters to life at Salem.

Fall Fest:  Fall Fest is a special day in the fall for all students and faculty. The purpose of the day is to promote friendship, class unity, and Salem spirit. Fall Fest sponsors various activities involving competition among classes during the day. The chair of the Fall Fest coordinates and plans the activities with the help of the Fall Fest committee with one representative from each class.

Family Weekend:  Students’ families come to campus for a fun weekend of social events and programs with faculty and staff, ending with a traditional Moravian Lovefeast on Sunday morning and a delicious Salem Sunday brunch.

Christmastide Moravian Candlelight Service:  Winter holiday tradition and ceremony for entire Salem College community. Music program held in Hanes Auditorium, ending with lighting of Moravian candles.

Sophomore Summit for Emerging Leaders:  The Sophomore Summit for Emerging Leaders is an overnight leadership development retreat for the entire sophomore class.  The Summit is held annually in early February.  The program is designed as a capstone experience for the sophomore year with a twofold purpose: building class unity and helping members of the class set goals for contributing to the life of the College during their junior and senior years.

Sophomore/Senior Banquet:  A Salem tradition whereby the sophomore class hosts a special dinner along with a program to honor her “Big Sister.” The event is followed by an “after party.”

Founders Day Convocation: Celebration in honor of Elizabeth Oesterlein, founder of Salem Academy and College. Seniors wear graduation robes and sunglasses.

Honors Convocation: Ceremony marking the formal end of the academic year held in Hanes Auditorium on the last day of classes. Seniors wear graduation robes and funny or outrageous hats. Awards are given for academic achievement.