LEARN THE K-STATE LORE
Wabash Cannonball
K-State’s rousing anthem was the only band music to survive the 1968 Nichols Hall fire. Band director Phil Hewett had taken the sheet music home, so the tune was played repeatedly at a basketball game three days later. Today this song inspires K-Staters to gyrate back and forth whenever it’s played.
Open House
K-State’s biggest annual event, held each spring, traces its origin to several college events—like Home Economics Hospitality Day, Engineers' Open House, and Ag Day—that were going strong for nearly 50 years. Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole spoke at the first all-university Open House in 1969.
Get details about this year's event
Tailgating parties
K-State’s pre-game barbecues are legendary. Fans snarf another 5,000 hot dogs once they get inside the football stadium.
Read the Collegian guide to tailgating etiquette
Call Hall ice cream
Treat yourself to K-State’s tastiest tradition. The dairy bar in Call Hall serves more than 35 fab flavors, including purple pride. You can also buy the student-made ice cream in the K-State Student Union.
Check out the revamped dairy bar
Homecoming
Students compete in various events to generate K-State spirit throughout Homecoming week. Today’s activities include designing banners, performing group chants, painting windows in Aggieville, building parade floats, and more.
Student ambassadors
Instead of a Homecoming king and queen, K-Staters elect a pair of ambassadors who represent the student body at Alumni Association events throughout the state and at university activities. The first ambassadors were elected in 1977.
Aggieville
It started as a single laundry shop in 1889, but today Aggieville is the place for shopping, dining, dancing, and hanging out. This fun shopping area is just across the street from campus.
Squirrel news
Every semester-end newspaper features photos of our abundant wildlife: squirrels. Strange, but true.
Check out the Campus Squirrel Listings
Class rings
Students who buy official K-State rings receive them at a special ceremony each spring.
It's like being knighted!