Every school has its own unique traditions that any student who goes there must experience; here are some from NC State, UNC, and Duke:
NC State University
Lighting the Belltower
To honor holidays that honor veterans, such as Veterans Day, or to celebrate game wins, NC State lights the Memorial Belltower red at night. For big game wins, students will rush the belltower in celebration.
Krispy Kreme Challenge
Thousands participate in this annual five-mile run. Participants run 2.5 miles from the Memorial Belltower to Krispy Kreme in downtown Raleigh, eat one dozen donuts each, and then run back to the belltower. All money raised from this run is donated to the North Carolina Children’s Hospital.
UNC Chapel Hill
Rushing Franklin Street
Whenever the Tar Heels have a big game win, students run to Franklin Street and celebrate. The road is packed to capacity and people go nuts with bonfires and fireworks.
Halloween on Franklin
Halloween is also a big deal on Franklin Street, where cops shut down the road for a few hours so students can roam the streets to show off their costumes.
Duke University
Bench Burning
At the beginning of the year, Duke provides materials for social groups on campus to build and paint their own benches. If Duke beats UNC or wins a national championship, students celebrate by burning their benches.
Last Day of Classes Concert
There is a wide variety of student activities that happen during the last day of classes in the spring semester, but the concert at night is the highlight. Previous artists include Kendrick Lamar, Ludacris, Kanye West, and Macklemore.
Some of these traditions may seem strange, but they all unite students and foster school spirit and will continue to do so for years to come.