Campus
Traditions
All Together Now
No matter if you graduated last year or 50 years ago: Traditions at Hendrix College are the common thread connecting all of us. From high-energy dance-offs to serene, reflective gatherings, these experiences define what it means to be a Hendrix Warrior.
Most importantly, these celebrations welcome every student. Whether you are stepping onto the stage, volunteering behind the scenes, or showing support from the front row, you will find these Warrior traditions endure because we build them together.
The Legendary Shirttails Experience
Grab a white Oxford shirt. Add boxers. Now, dance! Shirttails, a century-old tradition, launches your time at Hendrix.
Shirttails Event Details
What started as an impromptu celebration is now a full-blown dance contest between first-year students living in the residence halls.
You will work hard, though, to put together a winning routine. Choreographers will put you through several practices in the days leading up to Shirttails, which happens at the end of Welcome Week.
The first Shirttails, in 1913, celebrated a victory by Hendrix’s football team over Ole Miss. After winning 8-6, 200 pajama-clad male students paraded through downtown Conway, drawing a crowd of onlookers as they headed to what is now Central Baptist College and University of Central Arkansas.
Over the years, the tradition has morphed several times. In the 1920s, men in a “Pajama Parade” marched to the all-female Central College to serenade students there. After the first women’s dorm was built at Hendrix in the 1930s, the parade stayed on campus. Then, in 1984, women began participating, pajamas gave way to shirts and shorts, and the tradition evolved into today’s dance competition.
Every new student, including transfers, can participate in Shirttails. (Upperclassmen can also compete in a Sophomores vs. Juniors competition.) Our goal is to create a welcoming experience for every student, regardless of background, heritage, nationality, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Transgender or gender-nonconforming students living in all-male or all-female residence halls can perform with the residence hall of their choice. Similarly, students living in non-gendered residence halls can perform with the gender group of their choice.
The Birthday Experience
Birthdays are special at Hendrix. Our dining services staff prepares a cake for you and leads a sing-along in your honor.
Candlelight Carol Services
A cherished winter musical tradition for over 60 years, the Candlelight Carol Services offer a powerful space for reflection and community connection during the holiday season.
History of the Candlelight Carol Services
In 1963, Prof. Robert McGill and the Hendrix College Choir began offering a service modeled after the annual Christmas Eve concert at King’s College in England. Today, more than 1,200 people attend the Choir’s four annual campus performances.
Greene Chapel
Greene Chapel, designed to evoke a sailing ship, provides a hallowed backdrop for this beloved service. As dusk falls, the space fills with choral music, scripture lessons, and the warm glow of hundreds of handheld candles.
Choir Regional Tour
After performing on campus, the Choir tours the region, performing at United Methodist Churches in Arkansas and nearby states. (Reservations are not required.) It is a chance to share the season with alumni and friends who cannot attend one of our campus events.
Candlelight Carol Commissions
Beginning in 2015, the Choir has premiered an all-new composition celebrating the Christmas season. Some of the accomplished composers who have composed for the Choir include Edmund Jolliffe, Janet Wheeler, Alan MacMillan, John Madden, Chiwei Hui, and Laurel Luke Christensen.
What is Campus Kitty?
Campus Kitty is a student-organized series of high-spirited fundraisers supporting local community groups.
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Actual Cats
No felines are involved in Campus Kitty. You will, however, find plenty of campus spirit wherever you look.
75+
Years of Impact
Started as “Kampus Kitty” in 1949, it remains one of the most popular traditions on campus. It culminates with the annual Miss Hendrix Pageant.
$25k+
Raised Annually
Hendrix holds fundraisers year-round. Proceeds go to local organizations such as the Humane Society, the Women’s Shelter, and Arkansas AIDS Foundation.
100%
Student Driven
Every Campus Kitty event, from the Haunted House to the Red Light Revue, is completely planned, organized, and executed by Hendrix students.
Your Next Steps Via Hendrix
Join the tradition and build your own legacy at Hendrix.