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Traditions at CSB+SJU

Music festivals, holiday dinners, and triathlons are just some of the campus traditions that unite us.

Bennie and Johnnie

College of Saint Benedict students are Bennies, and Saint John’s University students are Johnnies. These monikers are a source of lifelong pride that students and alums carry.

Athletics

CSB+SJU students win on and off the field. Our teams have a strong history of winning conference titles and competing for national championships. Leadership training and community involvement are also critical components of our athletic programs.

Explore Our Athletics
A large crowd of fans, mostly dressed in red and white, cheer at a college football game in a stadium. Players are on the field near the goalposts, with a bright red end zone labeled "Saint John's." The stands are filled under a partly cloudy sky.
Three people are dancing and smiling together in a gymnasium with purple lighting. A live band plays on stage in the background, and a few other people are visible dancing in the distance.

Senior Events and Formal

Seniors and their parents enjoy dinner together and dance late into the night each spring. It’s hard to say who has more fun!

Candle-Lighting Ceremonies

CSB’s candle-lighting ceremonies bring to life Saint Ben’s motto, “Let your light shine,” and mark the first and last dinner Bennies share together as a class. This tradition even happens every year at Reunion, honoring Bennie alumnae who continue to let their lights shine in the world.

Two smiling young women holding lit candles take a selfie together at a dimly lit event, surrounded by other people also holding candles in the background.
Five people in colorful traditional outfits hold hands on stage, smiling and performing under vibrant, multicolored lights, with an audience silhouetted in the foreground.

Festival of Cultures

The annual Festival of Cultures celebrates and recognizes cultural diversity at CSB+SJU through student performances, food sampling, and a fashion show. Some of the cultures regularly represented include The Bahamas, Ireland, China, Ethiopia, Japan, Poland, Native American nations, and Mexico.

Fruit at the Finish Triathlon

The name says it all. Fruit-at-the-Finish Triathlon is a springtime tradition that promotes physical/mental health, friendly competition … and funny fruit puns. “PrePEAR to Win: Pearsistance Is Key” and “Rind Over Matter” are a few fruity themes from recent years.

A person in a red St. John's University hoodie and green backwards cap balances two limes and an orange on a giant silver spoon outdoors.
Two women sit at a table, smiling and holding chocolate-covered treats on skewers and a tray. Other people are seated and eating in the background. The table is set with plates, cups, and red napkins.

Holiday Dinners

Before students leave for holiday breaks, CSB and SJU host our own Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Students dress up for these family-style feasts and enjoy traditions like turkey carving and a chocolate fountain.

Christmas Tree Lighting

Annual Christmas tree lighting ceremonies at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s kick off the holiday season. Students and community members gather for seasonal programming, hot chocolate, and all the joy and Christmas spirit that comes with seeing a Christmas tree light up for the first time.

Three girls in winter clothes stand smiling in front of a lit Christmas tree, each holding colorful holiday-themed signs that read “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” “Merry Christmas,” and “Merry and Bright.”.
A group of young people stand around a table. One person in a white jacket slices bread, while another spreads something on a slice. Jars of spreads and utensils are on the table. Everyone looks happy and engaged.

Hot Bread Night

Let the aroma of freshly baked Johnnie Bread lure you to Hot Bread Night. Johnnies can enjoy a study break with their floor mates while deciding which tasty toppings to spread on their bread.

Maple Syrup Festival

Maple syruping has been a tradition at Saint John’s since the 1940s. The end of the syrup tapping season is marked by a festival, which includes horse-drawn wagon rides, syrup sundaes, local music and a chance for everyone to participate in tree tapping.

A group of people gathers outdoors near a rustic building in a wooded area. Two young people in the foreground walk toward the camera, holding drinks and food, while others socialize in the background.

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Residential Life

As a Bennie or Johnnie, you’ll have the opportunity to live on campus all four years in housing that grows with you.

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