The Bryn Mawr Owls have 12 NCAA Division III teams with Predator the Owl serving as mascot. The most obvious team on campus is the rugby team, if only because they are always incredibly loud and enthusiastic. The team recently won nationals and moved up to NCAA Division II. Other teams on campus include rowing, lacrosse, basketball, and field hockey, among others.
For women who want to participate in sports but don’t have the time to commit to daily practice, Bryn Mawr has a wide variety of club sports, including the equestrian and squash clubs. There is even an “Exam Stress Busters” program, where students participate in evening sporting events and activities.
- Katie Dahl‘11 contributed reporting
Bryn Mawr has deep-rooted traditions, some which date back to when the college first opened. Most of these events are designed to make the freshmen as welcome as possible and bring the whole school together, and end in a traditional Step Sing on the steps of Taylor Hall, the main building on campus.
Parade Night happens near the entrance to the school by Taylor hall on the first night of classes to welcome freshmen. The whole school gathers on both sides of the pathway to "greet" the freshmen, who run through the middle. The sophomores throw water balloons at them, and when they get to the juniors, get pelted with candy. Each year, freshmen have to write a Parade Night song to be performed on the steps of Taylor Hall after they finish their run. It’s tradition that someone from the sophomore class tries to steal a copy of the song so they can make a parody version of it.
Every February, freshmen are hazed by the sophomores during Hell Week – but not in the traditional sense of the word. The rituals freshmen have to perform are fun and silly, and nowhere close to mean-spirited. They have to serenade sophomores with poetry, perform impromptu plays in the dining hall, or act silly in class on purpose. During this week, juniors serve as the heroes, providing shelter from "evil sophomores" and giving freshmen gifts and candy. The tradition’s purpose is to create a special bond between the freshman and the sophomore class, as many sophomores continue to mentor their “victims” throughout the year.
Lantern Night is a right of passage for freshmen, occurring at the end of the school year. Freshmen dress in black academic robes and are presented with lanterns of the same color as the previous class by sophomores, as the upperclassmen sing Greek college hymns.
On the first Sunday after the end of classes, during the stress of finals, students gather with faculty to engage in a day-long celebration known as May Day to take the edge off. Students dress in all-white outfits, reminiscent of togas, and start the day by eating strawberries and cream. This is followed by traditional Scottish dances and frolicking around the Maypole. The day ends with a screening of The Philadelphia Story, starring alumna Katharine Hepburn.
Katherine Hepburn used to skinny dip in the Cloisters fountain and Bryn Mawr and got in trouble for smoking while she attended the college.
Bryn Mawr has the oldest student government in the country.
Bryn Mawr doesn’t have a business major.
Bryn Mawr some of the best-ranked college food in the country.
In the 3-2 Program in Engineering and Applied Science, a Bryn Mawr woman can transfer to CalTech after 3 years and complete 2 years of work there, thereby graduating with AB degree from Bryn Mawr and a bachelor of science degree by Cal Tech.
