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Traditions at Thurgood Marshall College

Marshall College has a deep, rich history – and you are invited to experience our traditions. Across the years, students, their families, alumni, and staff fondly remember these unique Marshall traditions and the community they create. We encourage you to experience these traditions during your time at Marshall and make your own special Marshall memories that will last a lifetime!

Fall Quarter

  • Welcome Week (September)
    Welcome Week is the social, community-building element of orientation, designed specifically for incoming new students. It is a chance to make new friends, get connected with UC San Diego and Marshall College before classes start, and for all students to have fun and get to know their College outside of the classroom.
  • Thurgood Marshall Week (November)
    Thurgood Marshall Week is a weeklong celebration of our college namesake, Justice Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993). Through Marshall Week, the College shares our unique history; our legacy of social activism and justice; and the values of the College in action through speakers, events, and programs.
  • Marshallpalooza (November)
    Marshallpalooza, a free student-planned staff-directed carnival, is one of the highlights of Fall Quarter, and one of the biggest events of the College’s year! Open to ALL UC San Diego students with a valid student ID; current students can help plan Marshallpalooza.

Winter Quarter

  • Spirit Night (January/February)
    Once a year, UC San Diego Athletics in partnership with the six Colleges hosts an evening designed to build Triton Spirit and pack RIMAC Arena. Come watch your UC San Diego Basketball teams win and come show off your Triton Spirit!
  • College Bowl (February/March)
    College Bowl is a fun, team-based trivia game among the six Colleges that invites students to get together in teams and show off their knowledge! Organized by UC San Diego Recreation in partnership with the Colleges, student teams go through multiple rounds of trivia until it’s all decided in the Final.

Spring Quarter

  • Cultural Celebration (April)
    Celebrate the unique cultural diversity of the Marshall College community through food, dance, music, and art from around the world! Taste delicious cuisines and tour artisan crafts from local merchants and vendors. Enjoy live entertainment featuring a broad range of performers, and have fun playing games and activities that originate from all around the world. Experience one of the largest and longest-standing traditions at UC San Diego. Interested in being part of the Cultural Celebration team? Join Leadership Committee for Cultural Celebration (LC3)!
  • Scholar & Citizen Reception (May)
    Planned by the Marshall College Provost’s Office in late May, the Scholar & Citizen Awards Reception recognizes outstanding junior- and senior-level students who have thrived academically and in their co-curricular activities at Marshall College. This special evening recognizes those students who have embodied the ethos of Scholar & Citizen, and is the College’s opportunity to formally acknowledge those students.
  • Commencement (June)
    It’s what all of us at Marshall are here for—to support your efforts so that you can earn your degree from UC San Diego. Marshall’s Commencement Ceremony is the official ceremony to celebrate your graduation, and a special time for our graduating students, their friends and family, continuing Marshall students, and the faculty and staff of the College.

Year-Long

  • UNPLUGGED
    Do you play a musical instrument? Sing? Write poetry or perform spoken word? Love to watch other people perform? Marshall’s UNPLUGGED is the place for you! Recurring weekly throughout the year, UNPLUGGED is a venue for students to share their musical talents and enrich the community. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, UNPLUGGED is a supportive space for you to share your talents.
  • Dimensions of Culture Program Series
    Each year, Student Affairs and the Dimensions of Culture (DOC) Writing Program collaborate on programs that supplement and enhance what’s happening in the DOC classroom. And the best part? They’re open to all Marshall students, whether you’re a DOC alum, aren’t required to take DOC, or are currently enrolled. Programs explore the DOC themes of diversity, justice, and imagination.
  • ThurGOOD Reads
    Designed to explore contemporary topics in community, ThurGOOD Reads is a quarterly reading discussion hosted by Thurgood Marshall College Student Affairs. Read the selection and attend one or all of the discussions; each one is different based on the facilitators and participants. Stay tuned on our Thurgood Marshall College Facebook page to find our next meeting time.