Cardiac Hill 

This steep hill above the Towers Complex is, figuratively, a killer. It leads from the Towers Complex up to the back of Crisp Hall. Members of the football team used to sprint up it during training, and often complained that they felt like they were going to have a heart attack after the strenuous trek. Legend says it also gave birth to our most famous tradition, the gum tree. 

Gum Tree

This tradition dates back to the 1960s when chewing gum was actually prohibited in some classes at SEMO. Students living in the Towers Complex would climb Cardiac Hill on their way to class and place their chewing gum on the tree trunk. The tradition reportedly continued even after gum was allowed in class because students out of breath after traversing Cardiac stuck their gum on the tree at the top of the hill. As of 2019, there have been three gum trees: the original tree died in the late 1980s and was replaced by a red bud tree that snapped during a storm in May 2018. A new black gum tree was planted atop the hill in August 2018. 

Signing the Dome 

The dome sits atop the iconic Academic Hall in the middle of campus. Students and alumni are invited to leave their mark inside the University’s landmark building and sign their name alongside those of hundreds of other Redhawks. 

TGIFlyday

Students, faculty, staff, and the community dress in Redhawk gear on Fridays to show their SEMO pride! 

Redhawk Walk

Established in 2014, the Redhawk Walk takes place two hours before the kickoff of home football games. The Southeast Missouri State University Marching Band, Redhawk Cheerleaders, and Southeast Sundancers lead the football team up Bellevue Street and onto Houck Field. It’s a way for students and the community to connect to the team and show their support. 

Marching Band Sings Alma Mater Before Football Games

The Marching Band assembles on the steps of the Wehking Alumni Center on Broadway to sing the Alma Mater before every home football game. 

Lock 'n Rock

Head Football Coach Tom Matukewicz (Tuke) started this tradition in 2014. Before kickoff, the football team assembles in the endzone with Coach Tuke in the center. All the coaches and players lock arms and rock back and forth before running through the tunnel formed by the Marching Band. The players lock arms again along the sideline before the coin toss to show team unity. 

Alma Mater after the Game

After every home game, win or lose, the football team gathers in front of the student section and listens as the band plays the Alma Mater. 

Sledding on Campus

SEMO students know how to make the most of a snow day! You’ll find students sledding on the terraces, down Cardiac Hill, and Brandt field, also known as the old band practice field. 

S-E at Softball Games

Longtime faculty member Jerry Westbrook is credited with starting a very special cheer at SEMO softball games. The cheer goes: “S-E-M-O, S-E-M-O, S-E-M-O, Rowdy, Rowdy, Redhawks!” Westbrook actually has signs with the cheer on them and directs the crowd through the chant. 

Ice Cream Pig Out

Held on the Friday evening of Opening Week, faculty and staff dish out all-you-can-eat ice cream to welcome students to campus. It’s also a great chance to meet new friends and have fun! 

Welcome Back Picnic

The Show Me Center is turned into a Cape Expo as on-campus departments and community businesses and organizations set up booths to welcome back all students. There’s always lots of food and entertainment, and it serves as a wonderful kickoff to the fall semester. 

Family Weekend

This tradition started as Parents’ Weekend back in 1977. It was specifically for the families of SEMO football players, but quickly grew and eventually became known as Family Weekend. It’s a time when relatives from around the country come to Cape Girardeau to visit campus, spend time with their student, meet friends, tour facilities, attend a variety of events throughout the weekend, and cheer on Redhawk Football. 

Homecoming

Students began celebrating Homecoming in the 1920s. It’s a week full of events celebrating SEMO and culminates with the annual Homecoming Parade and football game. 

Carpe Diem

This is SEMO's annual celebration of cultural diversity held each fall. Participants and attendees get to interact with one another as they explore different languages, food, dance, and fashion from over 65 countries and many diverse cultures. 

Late Night Breakfast

This is the SEMO way of celebrating finals week. On the Monday of finals week each semester, Southeast’s Administrative Council serves breakfast at Towers Café and the University Center at 10 p.m. to give students a study break. 

MLK Celebration

Every January, SEMO hosts a dinner with a featured speaker to honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Greek Week

Held each April, Greek Week focuses on competitions, fun, philanthropy, and other events like a blood drive, chariot races, hot dog eating contests, and more. It aims to unite Greek organizations while also making a difference on campus and in the community. 

Graduation

Graduation ceremonies are held at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Students are invited to don their cap and gown and receive their diplomas in a formal ceremony. In recent years, students have begun decorating their caps to highlight their personalities as well as gathering for photos at one of SEMO's beautiful fountains or in front of Academic Hall.