It's through tradition that we tell stories of our past, honor our heritage and celebrate the future. Become part of the shared experience!
New students take part in a walk from the Pan American Center, down International Mall and to the Horseshoe on the day before classes begin in the fall. Students pass through the Miller Gates symbolizing their official entrance into NMSU.
Keep State Great takes place the week before Homecoming each fall semester. Students, alumni, faculty and staff commit their time to beautifying the campus with projects such as cleaning, painting and picking up trash.
NMSU celebrates Homecoming every year, typically in October. Throughout the week leading up to the Homecoming football game, students and alumni attend several events, including class reunions, the Homecoming parade, the Celebration of Traditions Memorial Ceremony, the Alumni Association tailgate and more!
What started as a prank has become a long-standing tradition. In the early 1920s, students formed a bucket brigade up Tortugas Mountain and painted an “A” on the mountain. Almost a century later, students still maintain the tradition during the Greek event “A Day of Service.”
Seniors who will be graduating within the year gather at the Horseshoe on the Thursday before finals week in May. The students walk from the Horseshoe, up International Mall and end at the Pan American Center where the NMSU Alumni Association holds a reception in their honor. Students reflect on their time as they pass academic buildings, areas of student involvement and residence halls. The walk symbolizes the students leaving NMSU.
Noche de Luminarias takes place the first Sunday in December at Corbett Center Student Union. Members of the NMSU community are invited to stroll around the center and the surrounding area at night by the glow of 6,000 luminarias.
The Big Event brings together students, alumni, faculty and staff in an effort to say thank you to the Las Cruces community for their support of NMSU. Every spring semester, participants volunteer with nonprofit organizations.
Sponsored by Campus Activities and various student organizations, Halloween Howl is an alternative activity to trick-or-treating.
Crimson and white are the official colors of NMSU. Crimson represents passion and vigor, while white represents goodness and purity.
On Fridays NMSU students, faculty and staff wear crimson in support of the Aggies.
Aggies, Oh Aggies!
The hills send back the cry,
We’re here to do or die!
Aggies, Oh Aggies!
We’ll win this game or know
the reason why!
And when we win this game,
We’ll buy a keg of booze,
And we’ll drink it to the Aggies
‘Til we wobble in our shoes.
A – G – G – I – E- S!
Aggies! Aggies! Go Aggies!
Graduating NMSU students and alumni who purchase an NMSU official ring can participate in a special ring ceremony held at the Trader’s Plaza during the fall and spring semesters prior to graduation. Students should wear the ring with the university’s name facing them, which means the ring is facing the heart. Following the granting of degrees at commencement, graduates turn the ring around with the name facing outward, signifying that the graduate is now ready to face the world.
Explore the many exciting opportunities to shape your future at New Mexico State University.
