Seniors started spring semester with the annual 100 Day Countdown on Feb. 8. Students entered Anderson room 111 as a slideshow played of the events of the past four years, accompanied by music that was popular years ago, to celebrate the last 100 days before graduation.

“Every year I see the event and I can’t wait until I get to go to the party,” senior Kaele Culver said.

According to former Dean Alan Sickbert, this tradition is not even a decade old. He said that Hamline wanted to “make the seniors celebrate and recognize how important their time was here to the university.”

“The event was started in 2014 by the Senior Team, which is a group of students that volunteer at the Alumni Relations Office to create events for the seniors each year,” said Associate Director of Alumni Relations Meredith St. Pierre.

The students had seen the idea at a multi-collegiate conference.

“It started in 2014 as a celebration for the senior class as they finished their last semester of classes.” This is their fourth year holding the event, and it draws more attendance every year. “We gather together and take a moment to pause and celebrate their time on campus and toast to them as they continue their journey on.”

St. Pierre said it is hard to find the right time to get as many students together as possible due to night classes, internships and extra curriculars, which is why the event consists of a brief speech and toast followed by almost two hours of socializing.

St. Pierre wants “students to feel like they are recognized for what they have done, no matter how many days they have been on campus. To feel appreciated and part of a community as they finish their time here.”

In 2016 a mirror tradition was started to celebrate the first 100 days on campus and create sense of a beginning and an ending.

Senior Miranda Thurstonn shared “I didn’t think about graduation coming until it was, like, oh. That’s in 100 days!”

Student worker and senior Kiana Verdugo announced the beginning of the presentation and welcomed Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator Patti Klein to the podium.

Klein shared a warm and heartfelt speech.  

“I think this is a really exciting event, it kicks off all of the celebrations and work to come,” she said.

Klein asked the seniors to reminisce about their first year, then introduced an icebreaker game, to many groans and laughs. Following the game, she continued her brief speech, ending with “your success gives our work meaning.”

At the end of the presentation, Provost John Matachek led the students in a champagne toast.

“Here,” Matachek said, “is to your future and the next 100 days.”