Tech Traditions
K-Day
Classes are cancelled at noon on Friday following Labor Day so that students, staff, and faculty can celebrate Keweenaw Day (K-Day)—a celebration of the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula, which is home to Michigan Tech. Everyone heads out to McLain State Park on Lake Superior for a day of fun, sun, music, games, and food.
Parade of Nations
The Parade of Nations and Multicultural Festival, held in September, celebrates diversity with a colorful parade of flag-bearing students, who represent more than eighty nations, and also includes a celebration of food, culture, music, and dance.
Homecoming
Few homecoming festivities on any campus can rival Michigan Tech’s for zaniness and all-around fun! In addition to the football game and the crowning of the homecoming king and queen, the celebration features a parade, a cardboard boat race, competitive challenges, and many other events that promote Husky spirit.
Family Weekend
During the fall semester, we invite your parents and family members to the Keweenaw Peninsula to explore campus, attend cultural events, cheer the Huskies to victory, and tour the area to view the vibrant fall colors. It is a weekend filled with fond memories of Michigan Tech and family fun and also a great opportunity to visit with your parents and family.
Winter Carnival
No Michigan Tech tradition can match Winter Carnival for national fame and overall involvement. Organized by Blue Key National Honor Society since 1934, Winter Carnival started in 1922 and has grown to become one of the largest annual winter festivals in the nation. It features huge, intricate snow statues on campus and in the local area; a home hockey game; broomball and other sports; skits; sleigh rides; a queen and court; and more midwinter fun than you’d think was possible! Winter Carnival is held in early February and students have a two-day break from classes.
Spring Fling
On a Friday afternoon late in spring semester, students end the academic year and welcome warmer weather by engaging in activities such as pie-throwing at professors, carnival games, and listening to bands at the Spring Fling festival. Various student organizations participate in this event providing food and entertainment for a campus community eager to relax and have fun before the serious business of final exams begins.
Tech Songs
"Fight Tech Fight"
We'll fight, Tech, fight Engineers, For banners bright, Engineers. The northern hills will sound our cry. We'll ring your praises to the sky. Then fight, Tech, fight Engineers, For right with might, Engineers. We'll win the game, the glorious name, Of the Michigan, Michigan, Michigan Engineers.
"Hail Alma Mater"
Hail alma mater; hats off to you. Ever you'll find us loyal and true. Firm and undaunted always we'll be. Hail to our MTU, Here's a toast to thee.
"Copper Country Anthem" ("Blue Skirt Waltz")
I dream of that night with you, Lady when first we met, We danced in a world of blue, How can my heart forget. Blue were the skies, And blue were your eyes, Just like the blue skirt you wore. Come back, blue lady, come back. Don't be blue any more.
The "Copper Country Anthem" is played at the intermission between the second and third periods of all home hockey games. Everyone in the stands locks arms and sways to the Pep Band's rousing rendition. The song is actually "The Blue Skirt Waltz."