Students begin new academic year with fun and community
August 27, 2026 John Baker Brown
Emory’s undergraduate students began the 2026-27 academic year with a day full of sunshine and smiles. The Atlanta campus was lively on Wednesday as students met new people, embraced familiar friends, walked to class and simply spent time together.
Wednesday evening brought First Day Fest, Emory’s annual celebration of the first day of classes.
More than 3,300 students filled the Quad for the event featuring a variety of activities, entertainment and food. First Day Fest 2026 invited all new and returning Emory students — undergraduate, graduate and professional — to share the excitement and carnival-style experience.
This year’s event featured favorites from past celebrations, including rides, a vinyl record station and additional carnival and sports games.
Students enjoyed a concert with renowned EDM artists and DJs Ian Asher and Gravagerz. These musical additions are part of generous support from Jericho Capital to expand a “concert series” to the Emory student body.
“Every year, First Day Fest celebrates our first day of classes, and that’s what we did this year with students sharing an evening of fun and excitement together as a community,” says junior Eric Suster, co-president of Student Programming Council (SPC). “First Day Fest 2026 has set the tone for the school year ahead and all the memorable SPC events to come!”
Each year, this Emory tradition introduces a large-scale, welcoming experience where students can connect with one another to build community and begin the semester with excitement for a new year of the Emory experience.
“First Day Fest is about starting the year together and reminding students that there’s so much to explore at Emory,” says Carson Banks, director of the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement.
“Whether it’s finding a new community, trying something different or simply spending time with friends, we want students to see the beginning of the year as an invitation to connect, explore and make their Emory experience their own,” Banks says. “And the event this year is a tremendous success thanks to the collaboration between staff and students with Kendra Murphy, our associate director, leading the effort.”
First Day Fest 2026 was hosted by the Student Programming Council (SPC) and the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement (CSLE), formerly Student Involvement, Leadership and Transitions. The CSLE helps Emory students build community, develop as leaders and create meaningful experiences beyond the classroom.
First day of classes photos by Sarah Woods, Emory Photo/Video. First Day Fest photos by Avery D. Spalding, Emory Photo/Video.
