Most students remember the initial drive up Oak Drive on Arrival Day, the excitement and confusion of starting a new chapter. For most students, this memory marks the beginning of a new phase of life with the ability to pursue our interests and meet people who will become our lifelong friends. Many of us remember the huge “Honk if you Love Colgate” signs and friendly Orientation Links introducing us to campus. Symbolically, driving up Oak Drive represents coming “up the hill” for the first time.

On the opposite end, as our time as Colgate University students ends, the senior torchlight procession represents coming down the hill one last time. By carrying the torch on the university seal, this event symbolizes students carrying the light of knowledge and taking it into life beyond campus. It is one part of the many traditions leading up to commencement, and occurs on the eve of graduation. It began as a tradition in 1930, when the Alumni Association proposed it. Students line up at the academic quad and begin processioning down the hill at 8:30 p.m., and finish by walking through Willow Path. Families and friends watch from the sides, and students come together for one last dinner on campus at the President’s reception dinner next to Taylor Lake.

Senior Ethan Rifkin is looking forward to the procession, and believes it is one of the most important events on Colgate’s campus. 

“I’ve seen it the last two years, and it’s one of the things I’m looking forward to most. It’s an emotional and moving experience,” Rifkin said. Even my grandfather did it as a member of the Class of 1959, and it’s a great way of reminding students of our connection to Colgate and alumni.”

Junior Josh Hernandez reflected on the event as both something to look forward to and a reminder of our limited time at Colgate.

“It’s such an important moment. The fire staying lit represents maintaining our friendships and the idea that Colgate is the spark to the rest of our life. I try to relish in the limited time we have here,” Hernandez said.

Junior Christopher Mendina noted that seeing his sister graduate in 2022 inspired him to apply to Colgate and cemented his belief in the importance of our campus community.

“It was amazing to see how happy my sister was to be surrounded by her friends at torchlight. She still has her torch from the procession, and she keeps it on display as a symbolic item. It goes to show how much Colgate carries throughout your life in more ways than just your education. It’s a beautiful moment for Colgate students’ careers by moving down campus and symbolizing the full circle aspect of going to college,” Mendina said.

As students, it’s easy to get caught up in extracurriculars, studying and trying to figure out career paths. The hustle and bustle of campus life often makes us forget how quickly the days can go by. Torchlight can be somewhat somber to think about, since it symbolizes the end of our time at Colgate and spending time in our tight-knit community. However, we should look at it with both excitement and remembrance. Our first days on campus were overwhelming, but it marked the beginning of an exciting new journey. With every new class that graduates, the torch is passed to a new class beginning their chapter at Colgate.