Knox Students Make Memories on Flunk Day 2026
After weeks of anticipation, Flunk Day finally arrived for Knox College students, faculty, and staff. This year’s edition of the 104-year-old tradition began with a 7:00 a.m. email announcing that the day had come to celebrate the near end of Spring Term ’26.
“I didn’t know today was Flunk Day, but I get up at 6:00 every day, so I was ready,” business major and economics minor Gavin Sigel ’26 said. “So far today has been a good day. I’ve been hanging out with my girlfriend, Madison Hicks ’26. I was on the train rides. It had a good vibe.”
This year’s theme was “Flunk Delia,” inspired by the culture of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Students adorned themselves in flower crowns, temporary tattoos, and their best Flunk Day outfits—some choosing to wear vintage clothing.
“The first thing I did was rush to get a shirt; they’re really cool and comfortable,” computer science and economics major Dipsha Budhathoki ’28 said. “This year I want to get a caricature with a friend, try the rock wall, and the escape rooms. I’m really excited about the food, and the band played some of my favorite songs.”
The day was organized by the Union Board and featured carnival rides such as bumper cars and a ballistic swing, lawn games, a zipline, a rock-climbing wall, music, a train ride, and an inflatable obstacle course.
“We’ve been looking forward to this for months, even though we started working on it a little later in the year,” Union Board Special Events Coordinator Julia Maron ’26 said. “We started during winter break, and it was all winter term and all spring term.”
Maron was part of the Flunk Day committee last year and was joined this year by four other students, as well as Assistant Dean for Campus Life Jake McLean. This year’s committee wanted to give students the same popular events from the past, bring back some old favorites, and give students something new and different.
“I think people will like that we brought the zipline back,” Maron said. “We have the ballistic swings, but we wanted some new things. The rock wall is pretty new, and we have bumper cars, escape rooms, a train going around, and a fortune teller. We’ve been up since about 4:00 a.m., so it’s going to be a big day for everyone.”
Music was also part of the celebration, with the Gizmo Patio hosting open-mic performances and bands. The Ford Center for the Fine Arts Bowl also featured student DJs.
“I’m going to perform at the open mic, so I’m really looking forward to that,” said studio arts major and Chinese minor Zoe Grigoroff ’27. “I feel like Flunk Day is a day everyone can get their assignments out of their minds and have fun. I’m really enjoying it.”
Students enjoyed the break from studies and the shared camaraderie with classmates on what turned out to be a picture-perfect day.
“We had a volleyball tournament at Fiji House this morning, and we’ve really kept having fun all day,” said business management major and Earth science minor Ryan Lautzenhiser ’27. “It’s been a good vibe for everyone.”
Photos from Flunk Day 2026 can be viewed on the Knox Flickr page.
Published on May 12, 2026
- Scott Holland, Knox College Office of Communications