HWS News
25 April 2025 • Alums Moving Up Day 2025
Join Moving Up Day 2025 on Friday, May 2 to celebrate the academic achievements and leadership roles of all students.
Moving Up Day began in 1905 as a Hobart annual tradition that later was also adopted as a signature event for William Smith. In the 1970’s, Hobart began calling their tradition Charter Day. Starting this year, these events will be combined to celebrate the awards and accolades of all Hobart and William Smith students.
As the Class of 2025 prepares for graduation in May, they leave a legacy defined by academic achievement and active civic engagement. During Moving Up Day, juniors symbolically “move up” to seniors, carrying forward the tradition of growth and meaningful contribution to campus life. Similarly, sophomores advance to juniors, and first-year students to sophomores.
The celebration will begin at 2:00 p.m. with students joining one of two processions:
- Departing from the Flagpole on the Quad, and led by the Druids
- Departing from the William Smith statue on the Hill, and led by Hai Timiai
The two processions will unite outside the tent on Stern Lawn and process in together for the community-wide ceremony. Award presentations will honor students who embody institutional values of academic achievement, service, leadership and inclusive excellence. From first-years to seniors, recipients will be recognized for their impact on campus and within the larger community through a commitment to mentorship, scholarship and creative expression.
At the event, all honor societies including Hai Timiai, Laurels, Druids, Chimera and Orange Key will announce their newest members.
This year’s Moving Up Day continues the century-long progression and unification of ceremonies, events, initiatives and programs that reflects the evolving lived experiences of students. Starting 103 years ago when – in 1922 – Hobart College and William Smith College held the first joint Commencement, through successive decades in which separate yearbooks, admissions offices, student governments, dean’s offices, and degrees have been combined, today’s Hobart and William Smith – as has been the case since the beginning of the 20th century – is united with one campus, one faculty, one curriculum, one administration and one Board of Trustees.
