Since 1969, students have enjoyed Milligan’s annual tradition of Wonderful Wednesday. Wonderful Wednesday is a day where all classes are canceled and students are invited to participate in planned events around campus. The day is shrouded in mystery, however. Students are not told the exact date of when the tradition will take place. For some, the heart of the event is in its secrecy
Over the years, Wonderful Wednesday has been celebrated through different themes and activities. In 1999, for example, students enjoyed a “European Vacation” theme which included these activities: a Bavarian egg toss, a German race down the Autobahn (aka Sutton hill), and a Paris Seine River Run.
“I think the theme of Wonderful Wednesday is the most intriguing part,” said senior Jopsahany Pino. “It’s fun to try and guess the theme and the activities that will accompany it.”
Last year the theme of Wonderful Wednesday was “A Day in the Life at Milligan” which included life-sized board games, inflatables, the traditional water slide, and volleyball tournaments.
Milligan alumnus Justin Ciralsky said one of his most memorable Wonderful Wednesday themes was “Welcome to Hollywood” in 2004, where students participated in activities that featured classic Hollywood attractions. That year was different, noted Ciralsky, because the activities started in the evening before and continued on through the next day.
“I definitely remember looking forward to Wonderful Wednesday in the spring,” said Ciralsky. “But it was especially fun to try and guess when exactly it would be.”
Other notable themes of Wonderful Wednesday have included “Wonderful Wok Day” which featured noodle eating contests and “The Greatest Show on Earth” which included a Jell-O wrestling competition.
Headline image from Milligan University