Student Life

Campus Traditions

After a long day of studying, we all need opportunities to let off some steam, have a little fun and celebrate why we’re here. Below are some much-beloved campus traditions and rites of passage to help us do just that.

Matriculation Service

For the first Convocation of the year, the entire Gordon community comes together to rededicate ourselves to Christ and to remember that our education can be used not only for achieving our dreams but for strengthening the global Church and the common good.

Highland Games

Sound the bagpipes! The Highland Games is your chance to vie for victory. Each residence hall will compete in a series of Scottish games in honor of our Scottish heritage and founder A. J. Gordon. Get ready for a day full of competitions such as tug-of-war, bubble football, and the Great Scottish race.

Scottie Bowl

In the fall, you can cheer on your friends or play under the stadium lights during the final flag football game of the Rec-IM season, which also happens to be the biggest game of flag football on the North Shore and the College’s most popular intramural sporting event of the year.

Gordon Globes

Gordon Globes is our annual film competition. Before the event, student filmmakers submit their best work and a number are selected to premiere during Gordon Globes as a drama, comedy, action and adventure movie, documentary or music video. Come dressed up in your red-carpet best and cast a vote for your favorite films.

Golden Goose

At Golden Goose, it’s up to the funniest class to win. Come for a high-energy evening of live comedy sketches, choreographed dances, stage acts and short films to see if your class representatives have what it takes to get the most laughs before the night is over.

Founder's Weekend

Join in for a weekend celebration of those who have formed the College’s strong foundation. The weekend kicks off with the Social Venture Challenge, where students compete for seed money to start businesses and nonprofits, and continues with a lineup of events ranging from the JUD Talks speech competition to the Gospel Choir Experience concert.

Social Venture Challenge

Every spring, the Center of Entrepreneurial Leadership sponsors a campus-wide competition for student teams to pitch their own ideas for nonprofit or business ventures. Finalists present their plans to a panel of experienced executives and the three winning teams split $10,000 in seed money.

Last Lecture

At the final Convocation of the year, seniors vote for whom they’d like to give the “Last Lecture”. The identity of the lecturer remains a secret until the day of the Convocation.

Discipleship

Discipleship and faith formation are at the very heart of what we do. Beyond chapel services, floor fellowships and classroom conversations, Gordon students have many ways they can deepen their relationship with God and their understanding of the Christian faith. As a student, you may decide to join or lead a spiritual life group, try out for a spot in a chapel worship band or venture outside your comfort zone through a service-learning or mission trip. 

Learn more about which discipleship opportunities await you➔

Recreation & Fitness

Since the day U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt supposedly played a game of polo on our grassy quad, Gordon’s campus has become home to more than 19 varsity athletic teams and many intramural and club sports. Although polo at Gordon is long gone, there are a number of other sports you can play as a student, ranging from ultimate frisbee to rowing. Over 50 percent of Gordon students participate in competitive or intramural sports and 20 percent of our students are NCAA Division III athletes.

Just looking to stay fit? Take advantage of the wooded trails on our 450-acre campus, and our 78,000-square-foot Bennett Athletic and Recreation Center (including cardio and weight equipment, an indoor pool and track, basketball and racquetball courts, studio classrooms, a rock gym and more).

“I love weekend night games. You always get a lot of fans out. The lights go on. The music is playing. Everyone comes together. It’s a really enjoyable way for me to form community with people.”
— Scott Taylor ’23, Men's Soccer Defender

Bennett Center ➔
Intramurals/Rec-IM ➔
NCAA Division III Athletics ➔
Club Sports ➔

Clubs & Organizations

Do you have an interest in beekeeping, learning Japanese, or joining an improv team? We’ve got a club for that and for about 117 other interests. All of these clubs are student-run and funded through the Gordon College Student Association (GCSA). Check them out for yourself and one day maybe you’ll start your own.

Student Clubs ➔

Intramurals/Rec-IM ➔

Student Government

The Gordon College Student Association (GCSA)’s student government is a student-elected body that serves as a bridge between students and the college’s leadership. GCSA manages a large budget that funds Gordon’s 120 student-led groups. In addition to approving new clubs and ensuring that existing clubs are running smoothly, GCSA helps coordinate campus-wide events, like blood drives, and big changes, like getting Gordon students to switch over to using metal straws.

Learn more ➔

Off-Campus

Our campus is a stone’s throw away from New England beaches and a short drive from downtown Boston. As a student, you can get into the Museum of Fine Arts for free with your college I.D. and receive major discounts when you get a scoop of ice cream at a Ben & Jerry’s or buy a ticket to see the Red Sox play at Fenway. Check out our area guide to discover some of the many reasons why so many choose to call Gordon home.

Restore Creation: Sustainability at Gordon

Every year, we are featured in the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges because we take sustainability and stewardship seriously. Through our “Farm to Fork” program, at least 20 percent of what you see in the dining hall comes from local, owner-operated farms. You can enjoy your meal knowing that the food on your plate aligns with humane practices and sustainability guidelines. To learn more about the ways Gordon is reducing its carbon footprint and furthering its commitment to creation care, check out the Restore Creation initiative.

Learn more ➔

Fine Arts

As a Gordon student, the fine arts are at your fingertips. Every semester, there are countless opportunities for you to see a play (put on by one of the “Top 20 Best College Theatres in America”), go to a gallery opening, attend a film screening or enjoy a classical concert featuring world-class musicians.

Learn more ➔
Purchase tickets for upcoming music and theatre performances ➔