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Traditions play a great role in campus life. They reflect the spirit, values and dreams of the people who make up an institution. UT Dallas, being a relatively young university, celebrates a growing number of traditions. Get familiar with some of the traditions that help give UT Dallas its distinctive flavor: Alma Mater, Temoc, University Colors, Homecoming, Ceremonial Mace, Legacy Lane, Welcome Week, Family Day and Ring Ceremony. Alma MaterThe music for the Alma Mater was created by internationally recognized composer Robert Rodriguez. Its lyrics were created by Bill Dunn and Neely Reynolds. UT Dallas orange and green Whenever the UT Dallas community gathers to sing the Alma Mater, all in attendance hook their pinkies together with the person next to them in a tradition called “pinky hooking.” Temoc
Temoc is very supportive of the UT Dallas Athletics of all kinds: soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball and others. He is a part of the UT Dallas community and is one with the crowd. Temoc also likes to attend major events on campus such as the Homecoming Parade, Casino Night, Freshman Convocation, Orientations, Alumni Breakfasts and others. University Colors (Orange and Green)University colors are orange and green; both of these colors are used in the UT Dallas logo. The color of orange represents the UT System and is derived from the burnt orange of UT Austin, the first UT school. In the world of academia, the orange color symbolizes engineering. UT Dallas' green color stems from the green olive and oak branches that are represented in the UT Dallas seal. Olive branches symbolize peace and oak branches symbolize strength and endurance. Homecoming
Homecoming activities include a parade, pep rally, tailgate party, and other activities, and culminate with men’s and women’s soccer games. Although it has taken on many shapes and forms over the past years, Homecoming has always ended with the SUAAB sponsored Dance and Casino Night on Saturday night. Casino Night is a long-standing tradition at UT Dallas that features slot machines and black jack, poker and roulette tables. Games are played for tickets that are redeemed for a chance to win prizes. Ceremonial MaceThe Ceremonial Mace symbolizes the authority of the administrators and faculty at The University of Texas at Dallas and is carried at the head of processions during various events. UT Dallas alumni and McDermott Scholar Laura Rashedi was instrumental in creating this legacy.
The mace includes sterling silver university seals surrounding a wafer embedded with Texas Instruments microchips that represent the role of the company in the founding of the university. A steel band in the headpiece and the metal foot of the staff are fashioned from a scientific instrument designed by the UT Dallas Space Sciences Institute and flown aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor in September 1995. GonfalonsGonfalons - or college banners - are a recent addition to The University of Texas at Dallas commencement and convocation ceremonies and they add a wonderful element of color and pageantry to the event. The gonfalon is a long banner that is suspended from a crossbar. The name derives from medieval Italy, where "gonfalone" was the name given to a community meeting in Florence. Each neighborhood had its own flag and coat of arms and the word gonfalon eventually came to be associated with the flag. All University gonfalons have in common several elements that symbolize the unified mission of the University. Among these common elements are the school colors, green and orange. The color orange represents the University of Texas System and is derived from the burnt orange of UT Austin, the first UT school. In the world of academia, the orange color symbolizes engineering. UT Dallas' green color stems from the green olive and oak branches that are represented in the UT Dallas seal. Olive branches symbolize peace and oak branches symbolize strength and endurance. Legacy Lane
Legacy Lane was established by the Student Ambassadors in conjunction with the Alumni Association to give graduates an opportunity to become a part of the University’s history. Welcome WeekWelcome Week is an annual tradition that features events that celebrate the return of continuing students and welcomes new students aboard. Welcome Week is packed with events for everyone. A big part of Welcome Week is the Convocation ceremony. The ceremony marks the arrival of a new class to the UT Dallas family and introduces students to the University’s history, traditions and the Alma Mater. Moreover, during the ceremony many faculty members and the president share their personal stories of transitioning to college and how that experience changed their lives. Welcome Week culminates with a carnival and an impressive fireworks show. Family DayFamily Day is a tradition here at UT Dallas that celebrates the families of our fabulous UT Dallas students. Faculty and administrators look forward to this opportunity to meet and visit with parents and students on an informal basis. More than 40 student organizations participate in this event. Ring Ceremony
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The mace was handcrafted by local woodworkers with wood from the 600-year-old Treaty Oak Tree in Austin, which is said to have shaded Stephen F. Austin as he signed the first boundary agreement between American Indians and settlers in 1824. 
Legacy Lane allows UT Dallas graduates to forever leave their mark on campus. The pathway of personalized engraved pavestones honors the history and emerging traditions of the University and provides a pathway to the future, looking forward to the great achievements of future graduates. Made of beautiful shades of red brick, the pathway stretches along the creek behind the 
The University holds a Ring Ceremony to present undergraduate and graduates with their class rings. During the ceremony, students dunk their rings into the circular pool under the trellis at the center of campus. By dipping the rings in the pool as a group, the students cover the ring and themselves with UT Dallas pride.