Dear Sewanee Family,

There are busy months, and then there’s April on the Mountain—Holy Week festivities, spring athletics, final exam cramming, and, at the end of it all, the conclusion of another academic year. I hope your student is confidently navigating the whirlwind! We’re especially excited for our soon-to-be alumni in the Class of 2026.

One more reason April is jam-packed: Tiger Tuesday! We’ll be celebrating this important Sewanee day of giving ONE WEEK from today. In 2025, 928 current or former Sewanee parents made Tiger Tuesday gifts, and we hope that number will grow this year. As promised, we’ll be holding a friendly competition between parents of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. 

If you’re the parent of a senior who hasn’t yet contributed to the Class of 2026 gift, Tiger Tuesday is the perfect time to chip in! We’re aiming for 50% class participation, and we have a long way to go—12% of seniors have stepped up so far. Your senior can make a gift here. (Remember, parent gifts don’t count toward the senior gift, though they are very much appreciated!)

We’re always looking for ways to deliver more resources and information to parents, and I’m thrilled to announce: We have a new website custom-designed for Sewanee families! Want to order a birthday treat for your student? Need details on Family Weekend 2026? Curious about local restaurants or accommodations? Check out parents.sewanee.edu. Let me know what you think!

We’ve also merged Sewanee’s social media accounts for alumni and parents. You’ll now want to follow Sewanee Alumni & Parents on Facebook and @sewanee_alumni_parents on Instagram. 

Wishing you and your student the best as you sprint toward the May finish line! Please reach out to me anytime at sewaneeparents@sewanee.edu.

Bess Turner, P’25, P’28, P'30
Director of Family & Donor Engagement

P.S.: If your student is a senior and wants to join our $5 for 5 Senior Giving challenge, there’s still time! From now through April 29, any senior who sets up an annual recurring gift of $5 or more for five years will be eligible for four VIP seats at Commencement in All Saints’ Chapel. Your senior can give here.

If you’re planning a Sewanee getaway, whether for a campus event or for fun, we have good news to share—you can now find hotels and rental accommodations at wheretostay.sewanee.edu. 

This site has previously existed in other formats, but we have completely overhauled it for clarity and easier use. Among other updates, it now includes filter features that allow you to narrow your search, so you can find a spot that fully meets your lodging needs. One more reason to visit the Mountain often!

You don’t need to be a hiking pro to enjoy scenic views on the Domain! The University has put together a Quick Start Guide for Hiking in Sewanee that includes five trails for novice explorers. This website is also a great resource.

We encourage everyone to check out Sewanee’s newest hiking spot, Point Disappointment (as seen in the photo). Find more details here.

As the end of the Easter Semester approaches, the Office of Residential Life is ready to help students navigate the transition from campus to home. Move-out information, including important dates and room policies, is posted on our website here. 

Residential Life has partnered with Campus Storage to support students’ summer storage needs, including both packing materials and storage space. Campus Storage services can be booked here. The deadline to sign up is April 17!

Summer housing information is here, and details about the Advent Semester move-in process are here. We’ll be updating our site regularly in the weeks ahead, so please encourage your student to take a look!

Gowning has long been a favorite Sewanee tradition, and we know families are eager to join in the custom. This year, induction into the Order of the Gown will take place during Advent Semester Convocation on Friday, Sept. 18, at 4:30 p.m. 

Seating in All Saints’ Chapel is limited to faculty, students being inducted, and those who are bestowing gowns. 

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to celebrate our gowned students, we also plan to recognize them during Family Weekend (Oct. 2–4). We hope you’ll mark your calendar and make arrangements to be on the Mountain! Read gowning FAQs and learn more here. 

It seems like just yesterday they were signing the Honor Code, and now the Class of 2026 is preparing to depart Sewanee’s gates! If your student is a senior, and you haven’t yet ordered Commencement announcements, keep in mind the deadline is Monday, April 20. You’ll find the order form here. 

Want to brush up on your Sewanee graduation knowledge? You can view a replay of our Commencement 101 info session here, and visit our FAQ page here. The full scoop on this red-letter occasion, including a live-stream link to share with friends and family, is on our Commencement Central website.

The Sewanee family is full of inspiring women, including many who will join the University’s alumni network next month! If you’re looking for a way to honor a daughter, granddaughter, niece, or other special soon-to-be alumna, consider making a gift to connect them with the Sewanee Women’s Alliance (SWA). Learn more here.

What’s better than a cold drink with Sewanee friends on a Friday afternoon? If you’re on the Domain at the end of the week, please join our new regular gatherings at McGriff Alumni House! You’ll find us there from 3:30–6 p.m.

Our next get-together is this Friday, April 10, and we’ll also be there on April 17, April 24, and May 1. We’ve had great turnouts so far, and we’d love to welcome you!

April 10–12 — Spring Party Weekend
April 17–18 — Perimeter Trail Weekend
April 24 — Scholarship Sewanee
May 9–10 — Baccalaureate and Commencement for the Class of 2026
June 8 — Summer School Classes Begin
Aug. 19–20 — First-Year Students Move-In
Aug. 23–25 — Returning Students Move-In
Aug. 25 — First Day of Classes
Friday, Sept. 18 — Fall Convocation and Gowning
Oct. 2–4 — Family Weekend