The Welcome Back Pancake Breakfast in September
Morning Mixers in Fall and Spring Semesters
The Bears that Care teddy bear drive in November and December
Dinner with Strangers in the Spring semester
At the Commencement Ball in May
Students
Annual List of Events
Campus to Career – Fall and Spring Semesters
Accomplished alumni come back to campus to share insights from their professional experiences.
Eleanor Bateman Alumni Scholar – Fall and Spring Semesters
This series promotes interaction between students and distinguished alumni in an informal setting. The goal of the program is to provide students with role models that exemplify the achievements of the university’s mission through professional accomplishments and public service. The two or three day visit usually includes class lectures, workshops and seminars for undergraduate and graduate students.
Morning Mixer – Fall and Spring Semesters
The entire UMass Amherst community is invited to share complimentary bagels, coffee, juice and fruit during this relaxed gathering in Memorial Hall. Programs take place throughout the academic year.
Welcome to UMass Amherst program – Fall Semester
Parents of new students have the opportunity to provide their new student(s) with a gift(s) from home: Welcome to UMass Amherst Bundle or Class Mug filled with candies, a note from home and other necessities that no first-year student can live without. In addition, Halloween Trick-or-Treat packages are available for October.
Welcome Back Pancake Breakfast – September
Students are welcomed back to campus in the fall and invited to Memorial Hall for a free breakfast of pancakes and breakfast sausage while they enjoy morning cartoons.
Etiquette Dinner – Homecoming Week and Spring Semester
Learn proper meal etiquette and how to navigate a formal dinner place setting during this multi-course dinner.
Tuition Raffle – Fall Semester
Typically held in conjunction with Family Weekend, this program gives UMass Amherst students the chance to win up to $2,000 towards the next semester’s tuition and fees.
Bears that Care – November and December
A winter-holiday teddy bear and stuffed animal drive that benefits local children and families in need.
Scholarship Information Night – November
Find out about the numerous scholarships and awards available through the UMass Amherst Alumni Association and the Office of National Scholarship Advisement.
Legacy Day – January or February
Connection generations of UMass Amherst alumni, this program gathers UMass Amherst legacies and their families and gives the UMass Amherst Alumni Association an opportunity to recognize and honor them.
Dinner with Strangers – Spring Semester
Alumni host students at a dinner on campus in this interactive program that combines good food with good conversation and an opportunity for students to network with alumni about life after UMass Amherst.
Kiss-a-Senior Goodbye – Spring Semester
Students, faculty, staff and parents purchase a champagne glass or class mug filled with Hershey Kisses ® for their favorite senior(s).
Scholarship & Awards Reception – April
Celebration of the accomplishments of the almost 100 student scholarship and award recipients.
Senior Fair – May
To help celebrate the upcoming graduation of the seniors, the UMass Amherst Alumni Association invites seniors to Memorial Hall for a free graduation gift, snacks and an opportunity to meet our corporate sponsors and win tons of prizes!
Commencement Ball – May
Established in 1998, this final senior gala serves as a formal and traditional means of celebrating Commencement. Typically held during spring finals, the Commencement Ball is held at the Mullins Center.