Signature Events at Rutgers

With more than 75,000 attendees, Rutgers Day is a fun-filled event offering Rutgers schools, departments, centers, administrative units, and student groups the opportunity to directly interact with the public. All Rutgers schools, departments, centers, administrative units, and student groups are invited to submit programs.

University Commencement is a universitywide ceremony at which the president of the university formally confers all undergraduate and graduate degrees awarded throughout the past academic year. Separate convocations are also held by most of the individual schools and colleges at various times on the New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden campuses.

This annual fall tradition is the official welcome to the newest class of incoming Rutgers students. The event begins with preconvocation entertainment featuring live performances by a variety of student groups, including appearances by the Marching Band, Cheer and Dance Teams, and Glee Club. Speeches from key university figures follow.

The biggest fall events at Rutgers are the Homecoming Weekends that take place on the New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden campuses. At Homecoming, alumni of all ages, students, faculty, staff, and friends of Rutgers come to celebrate the RU spirit and share the pride.

Held in April and May on the New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden campuses, thousands of alumni return to their alma mater for a weekend of fun and learning.

This annual spring gala recognizes alumni who, through their superlative achievements in professional and civic life, have brought honor to themselves and to the university.

Held each January and May at Rutgers–New Brunswick, the New Jersey Collegiate Career Days are offered through the largest college recruitment program in the state. Open to the public, the job fairs bring together New Jersey-area employers and college students and graduates seeking employment. Experienced candidates are also welcome to attend.

Rutgers University Dance Marathon is a 32-hour, student-run philanthropic event to raise money and increase awareness for the Embrace Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aids the nonmedical needs of children with cancer and blood disorders. Over the past 12 years, Dance Marathon has raised over $2 million for the Embrace Kids Foundation, benefiting hundreds of families in the tristate area.

The fall and spring Involvement Fairs are great ways to learn more about the 300-plus student organizations, the 60-plus fraternities and sororities, and numerous departments at Rutgers–New Brunswick. Students visit displays, talk with organization members, ask questions, and pick up information about departments, centers, clubs, and more.