To celebrate 150 years of Calvin, we asked students, alumni, staff, and faculty to share the moments that make being a Knight unforgettable—on campus, off campus, and long after graduation. The result? The ultimate Calvin bucket list for every season of life. Once a Knight, always a Knight.
Before You Arrive
- Visit Calvin
- Become an official Knight
- Take your photo in the Cheese
- Attend Cokes and Clubs (if done pre‑enrollment)
Welcome Week & First Days
- Have fun at Welcome Week
- Get your picture taken on the first day of class
- Go to Convocation
- Volunteer during StreetFest
- Attend Cokes and Clubs
- Visit the Center Art Gallery
- Attend a Weekend Wonder event at the Ecosystem Preserve
- Attend the church fair and find a local church
- Get an on‑campus job
- Join a student organization
- Join a campus Bible study
- Start or join a weekly floor dinner in your dorm
- Play frisbee/catch on Commons Lawn
- Play dodgeball
- Explore the underground tunnels
- Check out a book from the Hekman Library
- Eat at Johnny’s Cafe
Fall Traditions
- Participate in Chaos Night
- Attend a football game
- Race down Knight Way in the Homecoming bed races
- Watch/Compete in the Cardboard Canoe Race
- Take a selfie with the president
- Go to an UnLearn event
- Go to a Knight Life event
- Get a picture with JOUST
- Participate in Homecoming and Family Weekend activities
- Cheer for the Knights at a basketball game
Ongoing Student Life Traditions: Arts, Culture & Campus Life
- Dress up for MidKnight Madness
- Go to/participate in Rangeela
- Go to/participate in Dance Guild
- Go to an IMPROV show
- Go to a Calvin Theater production
- Listen to uKnighted or Knightingals perform
- Attend a LOFT chapel
- Worship at a Friday chapel
- Worship with Gospel Choir at Praise Night
- Attend a winter sport like a Calvin Hockey Game
- Attend a Calvin/Hope Rivalry Game
- Attend the annual Christmas Messiah concert
- Sing at Christmas Tree Lighting
- Vote for the best act at Calvin’s Got Talent
- Attend January Series events
- Attend the annual Media Showcase
- Laugh at a River City Improv show
- Attend Exam Recharge in the Library
- Join friends for Late Knight Breakfast during exams
- Go to the Fall Formal
- Participate in a uKnight Week activity
- Attend a music department concert
- Join an intramural sport
Service & Giving Back
- Go on a Service-Learning Trip or activity
- Volunteer for Plaster Creek Stewards
- Donate to the food pantry
- Donate blood
- Mentor a student
- Host/attend a holiday with a local family
Seasonal & Holiday Fun
- Go trick‑or‑treating at DeWit Manor
- Eat Canadian Thanksgiving in the dining halls
- Visit the ChristKindl Market
- Make a snowman on Commons Lawn
- Have a snowball fight on campus
- Go sledding on East Beltline hill
Outdoor Recreation & Adventure
- Climb the rock wall
- Jump off the diving board in the pool
- Play Disc Golf at Gainey
- Walk the Ecosystem Preserve trails
- See the stars at the observatory
- Borrow outdoor rec equipment
- Go camping with Outdoor Rec
- Scooter around campus
Grand Rapids & Beyond
- Go to ArtPrize
- Go swing dancing at Rosa Parks Circle
- Go ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle
- Explore World of Winter
- Take your photo on the Blue Bridge
- Go to Robinette’s Apple Haus
- Enjoy a treat at Jersey Junction
- Dine at Wolfgang’s
- Go for a late‑night Ultra Dog at Yesterdog
- Ride the Rapid
- Visit Lake Michigan / take a selfie
- Visit Reed’s Lake
- Go to Post Family Farm in Hudsonville
- Explore downtown murals
- Take in a Broadway play, musical, or concert
- Go to the spring butterfly exhibit at Meijer Gardens
- Attend a Grand Rapids Symphony concert
- Go to Fulton Street Farmers Market
- Go to Chicago for a weekend
- Dumpster‑diving at Krispy Kreme
- Do homework at a 24‑hour coffee shop
- Swing by Peet’s for Free Shot Friday
Academic & Career
- Take an art class you’ve never tried
- Take a January or May‑term class
- Study abroad
- Participate in a research project / independent study / honors
- Write for Chimes
- Submit work to Dialogue
- Write a play for 24‑Hour Theatre
- Take a career assessment & meet with a coach
- Attend a Career Center event
- Attend a public lecture by a professor or guest
- Attend a CALL class
- Take a graduate class
- Visit with a professor during office hours
Senior Year Finish-Line Moments
- Decorate your grad cap
- Walk across the stage at commencement
- Visit Hub07
- Visit the Dice Mineralogical Museum
- Walk through the Rock Garden
- Meet someone from 25 different states & 25 different countries
- Win prizes or pitch at Startup Garage PitchUp
- Explore Calvin’s history in Heritage Hall
- Read a book by a Calvin professor
- Listen to a Calvin professor’s podcast
- Watch a Calvin Chapel service online
Alumni & Lifelong Calvin Connections
- Add your information to the Alumni Directory
- Register your alumni‑owned business
- Hire a Calvin student for an internship
- Hire a Calvin grad as an employee
- Attend or support the spring women’s event
- Attend a Young Alumni Event
- Support an alumni‑owned business
- Refer a student to Calvin
- Rep your Calvin gear in public
- Add a Calvin decal to your car
- Shop at the Calvin Bookstore
- Send an update to Spark magazine
- Give to the Spark Fund
- Support the Calvin Cares campaign
- Attend a business network event
- Attend or host a rivalry game site
- Network with alumni on LinkedIn
- Find alumni via the online directory
- Join or attend the Calvin Alumni Choir
- Join or attend the Calvin Community Symphony
- Participate in Reunion in a Box
- Travel with other alumni
- Return to campus for your 50th reunion
Miscellaneous Fun & Forever Traditions
- Nominate an outstanding alum for the Distinguished Alumni Award
- Get the golden towel from Cold Knight Plunge (Sem Pond Jump)
- See how many people you can cram into a dorm room
- Park in the best parking spot in the KhVR lot
- Sign up for the Legacy Birthday Club
- Watch a spring game like soccer in campus stadium
- Run into a Calvin person in an airport