Dear Sewanee Family,

As soon as Dec. 1 arrives, I know life is about to get busy! As you and your student navigate the full weeks ahead, I hope you find time to take plenty of breaks and enjoy whatever holiday traditions make you happiest.

Speaking of year-end traditions, it was great seeing so many Sewanee families at last week’s holiday festivities, including our Christmas Tree Lighting and the University’s 66th Festival Service of Lessons and Carols. You can view photos from our week of celebrations here.

With winter break just around the corner, don’t forget the Groome Shuttle is available for travel between the Smoke House Lodge in Monteagle and the Nashville Airport. If your student needs a ride to or from the Smoke House, the sign-up form is here. The deadline for completing this form is 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18.

As you’re marking special occasions, you’ll be excited to know that dates have been set for Baccalaureate & Commencement 2027 (May 8–9, 2027) and 2028 (May 6–7, 2028) and Family Weekend 2026 (Oct. 3–4, 2026) and 2027 (Oct. 9–10, 2027). You can also mark your calendar for Advent Semester Convocation & Gowning 2026 (Sept. 17, 2026) and 2027 (Sept. 17, 2027). Note that Sewanee's gowning ceremony is now separate from Family Weekend! 

Sewanee’s popularity as a getaway destination continues to grow—recently, two of our restaurants, Lunch and Judith, were named among the Michelin Guide’s recommended dining spots. We’re also home to a new state park, Head of the Crow, which opened in October. I’ve included a bit more information below.

Thanks to everyone who has passed along ideas for this newsletter. Please feel free to reach out to me at sewaneeparents@sewanee.edu. Best of luck to your student on final exams, and warm wishes to your family for a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year!

Bess Turner, P’25, P’28
Director of Family & Donor Engagement

PS: I’m thrilled that so many grandparents have joined our From the Quad mailing list! It’s never too late to fill out the sign-up form here.

Looking for a new way to spend time with your student on the Domain? Get out your hiking boots and explore Head of the Crow, a 4,258-acre state park that opened in October. Head of the Crow State Park connects to Lost Cove, a University landholding, and construction of an expansive network of hiking trails is underway. Lost Cove's landscape includes interesting rock formations, remote forest, and a beautiful waterfall.

Sewanee students have played a major role in designing trails, and their work will continue this summer. For more information about Head of the Crow State Park, check out this website or stop by the Sewanee Welcome Center on Lake O’Donnell Road, where park staff will be headquartered for the next three years. 

Head of the Crow is one of three local state parks, including Savage Gulf and Fiery Gizzard. Among its impressive features are the Sewanee Natural Bridge, Buggytop Cave, and a majestic waterfall.

The end of the Advent semester is quickly approaching, and Career Readiness + Student Success knows students might need a little more support to finish strong. Final exams are scheduled for Dec. 13, 2025–Dec. 19, 2025. As your student prepares for the end of the semester, please encourage 

them to book an appointment with our coaches to talk about study strategies, time management tips, and exam preparation. Students can set up an appointment in Handshake!

Career Readiness + Student Success is also thinking ahead to summer 2026! Winter is an ideal time for students to look for summer internships and post-graduate opportunities. Please encourage your student to explore opportunities in Handshake and schedule time to meet with our team (before or after winter break) to talk about possible paths, alumni networking, applications, and more! Interested in seeing where Sewanee students and graduates went last summer? Find 2025 summer internships and first destinations information on our website.

As the semester winds down, Sewanee Dining is excited to support students through finals and the upcoming winter break. We will host our annual Pancake Breakfast on Dec. 12 to help students recharge before exams, along with grab-and-go munchies throughout exam week for quick study fuel. We’ll also feature several student-requested meals, bringing back favorites selected through student feedback.

Each semester, Dining Services conducts a campus-wide dining survey, and we encourage students to participate. Their input directly shapes menu offerings, service improvements, and special events, such as our exam-week favorites.

Updated schedules—including Finals Week mealtimes and retail hours—will be posted in McClurg and on our website.

The Office of Global Citizenship is gearing up for an exciting 2026! Students interested in studying away during summer 2026 or spring 2027 should pay attention to these important dates:

Jan. 1, 2026: Study away advising officially opens.

Feb. 15, 2026: Deadline for submitting a request to study away.

March 1, 2026: Deadline for submitting a Learning Objectives Form for studying away in spring 2027.

Tip: Encourage your student to go ahead and schedule an appointment with their study away advisor for January or February. Students can find out who their advisor is by following the link on our Semester Study Away Process page.