Favorite Traditions & Events At Top Business Schools

The Pass the Torch Dinner. It’s the annual dinner where the graduating class and the incoming class come together and share a wonderful evening of dinner, dancing, and ceremony. It reflects the bond that all alumni have across classes. It reminds us that we walk in the footsteps of giants who have gone before us, and we are part of a legacy that will long outlast us.
Michael Autery, MIT (Sloan)

“My favorite MBA tradition is the Rolling Sloans Concert, performed each semester by our classmates in the band. It’s one of the last events of the semester, and the energy in the room when you’re cheering on your section mates is unlike anything else. My section had two musicians in the band, and we always went all out for them. One of my best memories from Sloan is my section dancing in a circle with our arms around each other for the final song last semester. It was a simple moment, but it’s one I’ll carry with me long after graduation.”
Hardi Vajir, MIT (Sloan)

“My favorite tradition was Launch Your Transformation, an intensive onboarding module that kicks off the NUS MBA journey. It is a high-stakes immersion designed to shift our mindsets and prepare us for the rigorous road ahead.

The week was packed with intellectual challenges, from back-to-back case debates to a high-pressure 30-second elevator pitch, where each of us was filmed and critiqued. This academic intensity was perfectly balanced with cultural bonding, including Dragon Boating – a traditional Singaporean sport requiring perfect synchronization – and dinners with world-class faculty.

These activities provided an immediate momentum to start our “MBA in Singapore.” This tradition reflects the “Transformative” and “Asian-centric” nature of NUS. It signals that the program is not just about knowledge, but about fundamentally reshaping our agility and grit.”
Wataru Komai, National University of Singapore

“My favorite MBA tradition is absolutely Stern Sips. Every Thursday after class, the full-time program pours out of our main building and gathers at one of our nearby spots in NoHo or Greenwich Village. What makes it meaningful isn’t the location, it’s the ritual. As soon as classes end, the lobby hums with the same refrain: “You going to Sips?” “Let’s walk over together.” Within minutes, groups form and head out. Some stay for hours, others stop by for 30 minutes between class and dinner plans. What matters is that people show up.

Stern Sips is proof that Sternies prioritize presence. MBA life is busy between recruiting, academics, clubs, and personal lives. Yet, week-after-week, people carve out time to be together. It’s where first- and second-year MBAs catch up, where new friendships form, and where I lost more games of pool to one of my closest friends than I can count. There’s no agenda, no programming, no pressure – just community built through consistency. Stern Sips has taught me that belonging isn’t built through grand gestures, but through repeated choice. Choosing to walk over. Choosing to stay. Choosing to show up.”
Justin Shalap, New York University (Stern)

“My favorite MBA tradition is Blue Cup — an annual competition between UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and Duke Fuqua School of Business that spans a wide range of sports, games and hobbies, from basketball and kickball to chess, e-sports, baking and more. The Carolina-Duke rivalry is often described as one of the greatest rivalries in sports, and that same energy carries over into Blue Cup.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know people in your program outside of the classroom, as well as connect with students from “the school down the road.” UNC took the title in 2025, and we’re hoping to continue the streak next year.

Blue Cup reflects how dedicated UNC Kenan-Flagler students are to showing up not just as professionals and students, but as people. Our community embraces each others’ interests and genuinely enjoys spending time together outside of academic or career-focused activities. We’re a close-knit group with a strong sense of school spirit.

That spirit also becomes a professional asset over time. The Tar Heel alumni network is incredibly engaged and passionate about helping fellow graduates succeed. I’ve lost count of how many times alumni brought up their own Blue Cup memories during coffee chats. As a future alum, I’m excited to keep up with the latest results. Go Heels!”
Victoria Leigh Peace, University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler)

“My favorite Kellogg tradition has been KWEST (Kellogg Worldwide Exploration Student Trips), an immersive pre-orientation where incoming Kellogg students travel to get to know some new peers before classes begin. While I truly value the small group culture and the highly social nature of the Kellogg community, my KWEST trip to Barcelona stands out as one of my most memorable experiences in business school.

Traveling with 25 classmates I had never met before and quickly forming genuine friendships over the course of a week was an incredible experience. In just seven days, we went from being strangers to a group that shared stories, explored a new city together, and built connections that have lasted well beyond the trip.

What KWEST reflects about Kellogg is how intentional the school is about helping students build community. It encourages you to step outside your comfort zone, invest in relationships, and create memories with people from very different backgrounds. For me, it perfectly captured what makes Kellogg special: a culture where connection, curiosity, and shared experiences are at the center of the MBA journey.”
Anreet Bhamra, Northwestern University (Kellogg)

“One of my favorite MBA traditions has been the annual New Orleans-Style Fundraiser hosted by Professor Mike Mannor in support of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS).

Every year, students and faculty gather off campus for live music, a silent auction, and a themed celebration, but what makes the night memorable is not just the energy. It is the intention of service behind it. Watching a professor invite his students into something so personal and purpose-driven speaks volumes about this community.

What I love most is that it blurs the lines between classroom and real life. Professors are not just teaching about values: they are modeling them. Seeing faculty and students show up together for NDSS reflects what makes Notre Dame different: joy and service are not separate from leadership here. They are woven into it.

That night always reminds me that business school is not just about preparing for careers – it is about shaping the kind of people we become, through relationships and service to others.”
Katie Wiggin, Notre Dame (Mendoza)

“One of the most memorable traditions at Oxford is Taking Final Exams in Full Academic Dress, a centuries-old university custom that requires students to wear a suit and academic gown during examinations.

Cycling through Oxford in full academic dress on the way to the examination hall, alongside my classmates, created a truly unique atmosphere. After completing the final exam, gathering together to celebrate with a drink made the experience even more special. It is a tradition that beautifully connects today’s students with the long history of the university.”
Rodrigo Zamorano, University of Oxford (Saïd)

“My favourite MBA tradition was Writing Exams in Sub-Fusc. Full disclosure, like any other student I was pretty nervous about sitting in the historic examination hall. But the dress code sure made it up for it. The University still requires students to wear sub-fusc and academic dress for in-person examinations, a practice it describes as part of the solemnity of its ceremonies and what the institution values most. To me, the iconic Oxford black and white subfusc reminds me of Harry Potter. (Fun fact: JK Rowling said it was the inspiration for the Hogwarts robes). I grew up in a small town in Zimbabwe and I was completely obsessed with Harry Potter. (Ravenclaw House stand up!). They were some of the earliest stories that taught me about courage and doing what you know is right. Sitting exams in subfusc felt like I was writing my O.W.L.s. But beyond my own nostalgia, it was what the tradition reflected about Oxford Saïd and the wider University: seriousness, continuity, and a willingness to treat learning as something worth marking with ritual.”
Daina Mandewo, University of Oxford (Saïd)

“Oxford is full of traditions, but the one that surprised me most was Matriculation.

The ceremony marks the official start of one’s studies at Oxford. Students across the university dress in sub fusc and gather for a short ceremony in the historic Sheldonian Theatre.

For MBA students, the celebration extended well beyond the ceremony. The entire day became a chance to take photos, explore the city, and celebrate the start of our Oxford journey together.

It was a moment that connected us not only with each other, but with centuries of academic tradition.”
Kosi Aroh, University of Oxford (Saïd)

“My favorite Rice MBA tradition is our weekly Partios, or parties on the patio. Every Thursday, students from all MBA programs gather on the patio outside the business school to unwind, connect and build relationships that go far beyond the classroom. Alumni often return for these events, adding to the sense of continuity and community.

Each Partio carries its own theme: Mi Familia Partio, Celebrate Houston Partio, Black History Month Partio, Lunar Partio, Mardi Gras Partio and Rice Around the World Partio, to name a few. These celebrations showcase the incredible diversity of the Rice MBA community and the broader Houston environment. What stands out most is how naturally inclusive and welcoming the gatherings are. Partios aren’t just social events; they’re a weekly reminder of the friendships, cultural richness and supportive network that define the Rice experience.”
John Weldon, Rice University (Jones)

“My favorite MBA tradition at Simon is our Annual Fall Winery Tour in the Finger Lakes. It takes place right at the start of the semester, and during my first year, I was genuinely impressed. The experience felt elevated, curated tastings, beautiful vineyards, thoughtful organization, yet completely accessible and welcoming. It was my first glimpse of how Simon balances professionalism with thoughtful community.

What stood out most was how quickly walls came down. First-years, second-years, international students, and domestic students were all laughing on bus rides, sharing stories over tastings, and building friendships that carried into the academic year. It set the tone: ambition here doesn’t come at the expense of connection.

Returning the following year as president of UnCorked and organizing the tour with our advisor Wayne France felt like a full-circle moment. I went from being an excited first-year soaking it all in, to the second-year responsible for creating that same experience for others. The winery tour reflects what I value most about Simon: leadership is accessible, community is intentional, and students are empowered to shape the traditions they once admired.”
Karla Camarillo Huitron, University of Rochester (Simon)

“My favorite MBA tradition at McCombs School of Business is the Football Tailgates hosted in the pavilion right outside the business school building before home games. Football is another religion in Texas, and these tailgates become a great unifier for the entire MBA community. Students from the full-time, part-time, and executive programs all come together to build excitement for the upcoming game and support the Longhorns.

What makes the event even more special is that faculty members often attend with their families, which creates a very welcoming and close-knit atmosphere beyond the classroom. With great music, delicious tacos, and plenty of school spirit, the tailgates reflect the strong sense of community and pride that defines the McCombs experience.”
Soham Mukherjee, University of Texas (McCombs)

“My favorite MBA event at McCombs was International Night. Each fall, first- and second-year students from countries around the world represent their home countries through booths set up throughout Rowling Hall, filling the space with food, music, traditions, and conversation. It is one of the clearest expressions of what makes McCombs special. The event reflects how international, welcoming, and community-oriented the program is, while also creating an opportunity for students to learn from one another in a way that feels personal and memorable rather than formal. For me, it was a great reminder that business school is not just about recruiting, classes, or career outcomes: it is also about being part of a community made up of people with very different backgrounds and perspectives. International Night captured that spirit especially well.”
Daniel Sewell, University of Texas (McCombs)

“My favorite MBA tradition is Brisket Bowl, which is held every year in the Fall. For some students, it’s their first taste of Texas BBQ, but more importantly, it’s a moment where the entire MBA community comes together. Current students meet alumni from across industries and faculty step outside the classroom. For one evening, the program feels less like a degree and more like a family reunion. I think Brisket Bowl captures the essence of the Aggie Spirit better than almost anything else in the program. Texas A&M has a network unlike any other: once you’re an Aggie, you’re part of a family for life. Brisket Bowl is where you see that come to life. It’s where students realize that the relationships they’re building don’t end at graduation.”
Marcus Glass, Texas A&M (Mays)

“One of my favorite MBA traditions was Haasemite, a class camping trip to Yosemite National Park. I loved the intentional break from screens, schedules, and constant availability – it was a chance to step outside, slow down, and reconnect with people and nature. That balance felt very “Haas” to me: reflective, grounded, and community-oriented.

Yosemite also holds a special personal meaning. It’s a place shaped not only by natural beauty, but by stories that often go untold such as Tie Sing’s. He was a Chinese immigrant but also the head chef for the U.S. Geological Survey, whose extraordinary cooking helped persuade the Mather Mountain Party to preserve the land, ultimately contributing to the creation of the National Park Service. Cooking, especially outdoors, became a way for me to honor that history and bring people together. Serving twice as camp captain, I tried to make cooking come alive as a shared experience that built connection. Haasemite reflected what I value most about Haas: a community that makes space for humanity, storytelling, and belonging.”
James Wang, UC Berkeley Haas

Next Page: Traditions at Virginia Darden, Wharton School, and Yale SOM

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