Valparaiso University

Each year, incoming freshmen attend this two-day orientation event held the summer before freshmen year starts. This is a great way for students to meet other members of their class, find roommates, take placement exams, and meet professors to talk about majors. Many freshman end up remaining friends with fellow Foci for all four years at Valpo.

About once a month, the Union holds Late-Night Bingo from 11 p.m.–2 a.m. The proceeds go to charity, and students play for big prizes like TVs, DVD players, bicycles, gift certificates, and tons more. There are smaller prizes, too, such as baskets of candy and McDonald's certificates. This event has become so popular over the years that it had to change locations in order to accommodate the many people who wanted to play.

That's right, it's basketball again! Midnight Madness is held the midnight of the day when basketball practices can officially start as per NCAA rules. Thousands of fans and students gather at the ARC to watch the first practice of the men's and women's teams, including a scrimmage, slam dunk contest, and three-point contest. Tons of free prizes are given out and students are usually treated to a laser-light show and a meet–and-greet with the players.

During Homecoming, student groups and Greek organizations turn out to paint the windows of the Union and the dorms with their artistic renderings of the Homecoming theme. These are judged in a competition, and the winning team receives points toward their Homecoming total.

An annual Shakespeare reading held outdoors under Merlin, the aged, grizzled tree in the Chapel Meadow. Many Valpo students turn out to enjoy hot chocolate and a little Old English.

Each winter, Valpo students host any and all of their siblings for a weekend of campus fun. The University shows kid-friendly movies and schedules multiple events that students can easily attend with siblings.

Songfest is the culmination of Spring Week, and is a contest between Greek organizations. It is basically a song-and–dance revue; each team choreographs a routine and chooses costumes. The performance is held in the Chapel, and it always promises to be a good time.

These are special music-filled worship services held late at night during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Tickets disappear so quickly that some students go all four years without ever being able to attend. Even though they are held in the Chapel, which seats about 5,000 people, tickets are offered to the community and alumni as well, and they always sell out.