College of the Holy Cross | Purple Key Society

The Co-Curricular Extravaganza is an annual event sponsored by PKS. Each year, PKS organizes all of the recognized groups, clubs, and organizations on campus into the Hogan Ballroom so that first year students and underclassmen have a chance to see all that the Holy Cross Campus has to offer for extra curricular activities. With all of the organizations together in one location, it is a great opportunity for groups to get their name out there and inform students. There is no greater opportunity available throughout the year for students to get involved!

Each year Purple Key Society works with the Red Cross to organize and run four blood drives. Each drive is approximately ninety days apart so students have sufficient time between donations to give blood again. The drives typically take place in the Hogan Ballroom and Purple Key members work hard to advertise the event and sit in the Hogan lobby tables to sign people up the week prior to the event. The Red Cross is continually impressed with the hard work of the student membership as well as the student body and their willingness to donate. There is always a great turnout of students, staff and faculty through sign ups and walk ins and PKS hopes to meet and exceed past success. For those interested in donating, keep your eyes open for posters around campus and for those who are afraid of needles, don’t worry. There are always PKSers available to hold your hand.

Holy Cross works with Admissions each year to help coordinate several Open House events for prospective and accepted students. Purple Key members, adorning their stellar purple polos, swarm the campus to help accommodate parents and students in finding their way around Mt. St. James. Purple Key works alongside Admissions to staff the various events, presentations, and panels offered throughout the day. You might remember a Purple Key member welcoming you your first visit to campus—we’re the ones who stand at the gate holding signs and waving J

Family Weekend is a major event that takes place on campus each year when families overwhelm the campus in an effort to see just what it is their kids are doing while away at school. The Student Programming and Leadership Development office, along with the dedicated PKS co-chairs work together to create schedule of events for parents and students alike to attend. PKS helps staff CAB’s annual Casino Night and organizes various concerts for parents and students to attend throughout the weekend. Each Sunday, Family Weekend ends with a large mass held at the Hart Center followed by a brunch in Kimball Dining Hall.

The Giving Tree is one of the Purple Key events that allow the student leaders on campus to reach out to the Worcester community. Working alongside several SPUD groups (Student Programs for Urban Development), PKS compiles a list of families and children in the Worcester area who are seeking Christmas presents. The names are placed on ornaments and are then placed on a Christmas tree in Hogan where students can come by and pick one up. Purple Key collects the gifts that student on campus purchase and then delivers them. This event is a favorite among many of the members and is a wonderful opportunity to extend our leadership beyond the College Street gates.

Purple Pride Day

Purple Pride day is the signature event of the Purple Key Society. Once a year, Purple Key members get up at 5:00 a.m. to dress up the campus (and the students!) in purple. This is a great day on campus as both students and faculty members get the opportunity to show their purple pride. PPD usually coincides with a Holy Cross sporting event which is met with a lot of success. This year will prove to be no exception. Members work hard to coordinate the event and hope that everyone will participate with the same energy and enthusiasm as always! Get excited for PPD…

This is an extremely popular event for the Holy Cross Senior Class. 100 days before graduation Purple Key invites all seniors to attend a dinner and dance just for their class. This is a time to relax, have fun, and reminisce on the four FANTASTIC years that were spent on Mount St. James.

Kiss a Senior Goodbye

The last few weeks of school is a time to wish all the seniors luck with their futures and tell them how much they will be missed. With the Kiss a Senior Goodbye program, members of the Holy Cross community can buy a bag of Hershey Kisses, write a special note for one of their senior friends and then the treats will be sent

The Purple Key Society is always looking for other programs and events to do throughout the year. So, if there is a Charity that you would like to see Holy Cross get involved with or an event that would be fun for Holy Cross students, administration and faculty just give us a call or stop by! We would love to help you make your ideas become a reality!