College Campus Life Is a Blast with UST’s Student Activities
As you begin to settle into your academic semester, you may wonder what your social life will look like for the rest of the year. Maximize your college experience by amping up your activities, learning things outside of the classroom and making the best of college campus life. Don’t let your college experience be “all work and no play.”
With so much to do around campus, there’s a little something for everyone. Here are some fun student activities to add to your social calendar this year. You can also find a full list of student activities on the Campus Events Calendar.
Recurring Campus Events
You’ll find plenty of fun campus events and parties to attend here at UST. In fact, it’s important to take your mind off school work sometimes and invest in a social life to help avoid burnout.
Neewollah
Neewollah is an annual Halloween bash and a 50-year-old campus tradition. Join in on the legacy by putting on your best costume on Halloween night. The organizers at the Student Activities Board always plan a huge party, including a costume contest, pumpkin carving, great food and dancing.
Neewollah, the annual Halloween party at the University of St. Thomas
International Festival
Celebrate the diversity that UST campus life has to offer. At the International Festival, students have the opportunity to sample the world’s cuisines, walk through an international bazaar and enjoy incredible cultural performances. Have fun, be social and learn something new about a culture you’ve never experienced. The International Student Society makes this amazing event happen every fall, and you don’t want to miss it.
University of St. Thomas students embrace and enjoy a diverse college experience
Performers entertain the crowd at the University of St. Thomas International Festival
St. Augustine’s Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest offers a great opportunity to show your family what college campus life is all about! Every fall, students enjoy Oktoberfest during Family & Alumni Weekend, when they can relax and reconnect with family, alumni and faculty. This campus event is packed with food, interactive inflatable games and a beer garden. Have some relaxed fun and show your family what makes UST your home away from home.
UST Houston students enjoy German-inspired food at St. Augustine’s Oktoberfest
UST’s St. Augustine’s Oktoberfest is packed with student activities, such as interactive games
Deck the Mall at Christmas
Celebrate the end of the semester and the most magical time of the year at the Deck the Mall event in December. Enjoy snow (yes, snow!), Christmas carols and St. Nick himself alongside UST peers, faculty and family. Per tradition, University President Dr. Ludwick will ceremoniously light the UST Christmas tree at the academic mall, and students will enjoy student activities such as singing carols, a petting zoo and hay rides around campus.
Students enjoy a rare snowball fight at Deck the Mall
Students meet and greet with Santa at UST’s on-campus holiday event
Chili Cook-Off Competition
Sample chili at UST’s annual Chili Cook-Off competition. This fun event boasts chili recipes from a number of competitive teams (individuals, organizations and even faculty members) who are all vying for the title of Best Chili. Find out who can cook the best chili on campus. Maybe it will be you! Contact the Center for Faith and Culture at 713-942-5066 to get more info and register your team.
Campus Performances & Exhibits
Do you have a love for the arts and other cultures? You can attend numerous student activities that feature amazing arts and performances from UST students, Houston neighbors and even talents from around the world. Experience the wonders of the arts on campus grounds.
Menil Collection
The University of St. Thomas campus is within walking distance of the renowned Menil Collection. This gallery features the private art collection of John and Dominique de Menil, housing more than 1,700 pieces of 20th century art.
UST Art Gallery
Wander over to our very own UST Art Gallery at 3907 Yoakum Boulevard. The gallery hosts various art exhibitions every month, showcasing brilliant students and artists from around the globe.
The UST Art Gallery on Yoakum Blvd displays works from students and international artists
Performing Arts
If performing arts are your passion, check out our original performances each semester by the UST Drama department at Jones Theater, with tickets starting at $5. Watch your classmates and friends showcase their talents on stage at the university.
Fill your ears with a symphony of sounds at Cullen Recital Hall. From string soloists to a full-blown orchestra, you can always find wonderful performances to delight you.
UST students star in plays at Jones Theater
Musicians play to a live crowd at UST’s Cullen Recital Hall
Utilize College Campus Facilities
Have some time between classes? Enjoy the many amenities that the UST campus has to offer.
Pump It Up and Sweat It Out
All of UST’s current students can enjoy a free membership to the many great features of Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center, which include:
- Full-service gym
- Group fitness classes
- Large outdoor pool
- Dance rooms
- Outdoor sand volleyball court
Students enjoy a free membership at UST’s Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center
Students play sand volleyball outside the Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center
UST students cool off in the campus pool
Old Book Store Student Lounge
If you need to unwind and have some fun, catch a quick game of foosball, play a video game on the Xbox and even play an old-school Pac-Man arcade game at the campus Student Lounge (also referred to as the Old Book Store).
Unwind in the UST Student Lounge with a variety of arcade games
Students join in on a game of foosball in the UST Student Lounge
Career Services and Tutoring Center
Visit Career Services and the Tutoring Center, where you can improve your skills in writing, creating résumés and going on interviews, or participate in several workshops organized to help you achieve success.
The UST Tutoring Center offers help in writing, résumés and interviews
Roar for the Celts
Here at UST, there are three things to know about our athletics team: We are called the Celts, our mascot is a roaring lion and our team spirit is a huge part of campus life. Get into the college spirit and cheer on our UST sports teams as they compete against other colleges.
Another great reason to support the sports at UST is that some of our games help raise funds for charity, such as the Pink Game. Games are also held during UST Family Weekend & Senior Night in October, so the whole family can get involved. Get the full college experience by attending one of our Celts games. Check out the Celts schedule for all the games this semester.
Want to get even more involved in sports at UST? If you have what it takes to become a Celt rather than sitting in the stands, find out how you can get recruited by visiting the UST Celts page. You can choose from a huge variety of sports for both men and women, including basketball, soccer, golf and cross-country. Discover your athletic potential and represent UST as an official Celt!
Students enjoy Celts basketball at UST
Celts women battle in a fierce game of UST volleyball
The UST soccer team plays great playoffs with other colleges at Houston Sports Park
More to College Life – Join a Student Organization or Club
Our student organizations provide a variety of opportunities for students to get involved. Joining a club or student organization is a great way to develop a new interest, pursue your favorite activities, foster your leadership skills and connect with other students and faculty members.
From graduate and departmental clubs to non-profit and council clubs, students have a chance to explore beyond their classroom and enhance their overall college experience.
The college experience at UST is all about community in campus life
Attend UST’s Club Fair in early September and find out more about the different student organizations that you can join, including:
Student Government Association (SGA)
Let your voice be heard and make a real impact on college campus life for UST students. With several roles available, you can find the one that best suits your interests and talents. With your involvement, you have the opportunity to enrich other student experiences and make a real difference in your campus community.
Make your impact now by joining the UST Student Government Association
Student Activities Board (SAB)
Get more involved and be the brains and hands behind organizing student events on campus. Grow your skills in event planning, project management and leadership by bringing together UST students through movie nights, lectures, dances, special events and even next year’s Spring Formal.
UST hosts large events, dances, lectures and cultural celebrations
Students work out in a group fitness class
Celts Toastmasters
Want to get rid of a looming fear of public speaking and improve your leadership skills? Celts Toastmasters provides the opportunity to build confidence by providing a learn-by-doing, supportive and positive environment.
Conquer public speaking fears by joining the UST Celts Toastmasters
Psi Chi Club
One of the many departmental student clubs on campus, this club serves students who are interested in psychology. The Psi Chi Club holds a variety of student activities and workshops, from lectures to community service, for both undergraduate and graduate students.
UST’s Psi Chi Club helps students learn more about psychology
Work with the UST community to teach psychology to new generations
Our list of clubs and organization is always growing. Don’t see a club you’re interested in? Create your own! UST students are encouraged to grow their potential through college campus life, even if that means starting a new tradition or group. Browse through all the possibilities on the Clubs and Student Organizations page.
Experience College with Faith
The University of St. Thomas and the Basilian Fathers hold the values of goodness, discipline and knowledge. We are committed to the religious ethical and intellectual traditions of Catholic higher education. Our university thrives on these values to ensure that students are educated as leaders of faith and character. Students have the option to attend any of the masses at the Chapel of St. Basil, available seven days a week.
To get more involved, check out the numerous events held by on-campus organizations such as Campus Ministry, Celts for Life Club and Blessed Sacrament, all of which can help you grow your faith and relationship with God. For further information, visit our Catholic Identity page.
On-campus organizations help UST students become more involved with their faith
The Chapel of St. Basil brings spiritual life to the University of St. Thomas campus
It’s easy to make your faith a part of your campus life at UST
You’ll never run out of fun things to do on the University of St. Thomas campus. If you have questions about campus activities or would like more guidance about getting involved, call the Student Affairs office at 713-525-3570.
Ready to visit the University of St. Thomas campus and experience college campus life yourself? Just fill out this form to schedule a visit!
By Azma Aslam and Cody White