From senior toasts to sophomore send-offs, Penn college houses celebrate annual traditions

Penn’s network of college houses host various traditions to usher their residents into the summer season. 

The Daily Pennsylvanian compiled end-of-year programming across multiple types of dormitories — including four-year housing, second-year housing, and first-year housing options. From senior toasts to sophomore send offs, here’s how Penn college houses celebrate the end of the academic year. 

College senior and Riepe College House resident advisor Charles Witmer said that the dormitory’s sophomore send off serves as its primary end-of-year celebration. Riepe is one of Penn’s primary first-year options — and is one of three college houses in The Quad.

During the event, residents read letters from their past selves — that they wrote on move-in day — in an effort to encourage them to reflect on their first year at Penn. 

The send off highlights that students “did the freshman thing” and marks a transition to the next stage of college life, according to Witmer. 

“Finishing freshman year can feel like the biggest step towards really getting your grounding in college,” Witmer added. “The sophomore send off is ideologically this idea that you’ve done the hard part now.” 

At Gutmann College House, an upperclassman dormitory that previously served as a four-year housing option, House Director Kathryn McDonald highlighted the dorm’s “sunset celebration” which is held in Quaker Kitchen. The event is inspired by the sunset shown on Gutmann College House’s crest and has been an annual tradition since the dormitory's founding in 2021.

McDonald noted the community’s “vested interest” in Gutmann College House, explaining that the event serves as a  “bridge” between both staff and residents. Student house managers help plan the celebration and turn it into a “space where people can connect one more time” before moving out.

“We really love to use the sunset celebration as a place where we can have one final moment of community together,” McDonald added. 

This year, one of Gutmann College House’s managers is also creating a digital yearbook to share photos from the college house’s events.

Four-year college houses have also recently collaborated on a joint “senior toast” — where graduating residents attend a brunch and receive graduation cords in their respective house colors. This year’s brunch will be held at Gutmann College House in partnership with Penn Dining on May 2. 

McDonald explained that the event is an opportunity to recognize seniors who have contributed to college house communities over multiple years. 

“It’s a nice way to say thank you and great job for what you did while you were here,” she said.

At Rodin College House, an upperclassman dormitory, House Director Stephanie Lewis wrote that resident advisors host end-of-year floor events such as closing dinners and final exam support.

“The goal is to celebrate and support the final academic endeavors of the year,” she wrote to the DP. Events like floor-organized study breaks also offer students a “chance to pause” and “reconnect with the larger house community.” 

Following final exams, faculty fellows host a “Rodin Toast” in the building’s rooftop lounge. 

“The energy is exciting because the end of the semester is so close and the collective hard work is palpable,” Lewis wrote. “Our traditions celebrate the transition from classes to finals, from semester to summer, and for graduating seniors and exchange students, from Penn to the next chapter.”