Event Lineup for Spring 2026 Semester

By
Alexa Olson
Published
February 5, 2026
A graphic for spring 2026 events with the center's name and logo.

The 2026 spring semester is in full swing, and the David T. Kearns Center is kicking off 2026 in a big way. Check out all the events the Kearns Center has planned for this semester!

February 2026

There are eight events planned for the month of February including three Living Room Takeovers, on February 4, 11, and 25, and the McNair Induction Ceremony on February 18, where 15 students will be inducted into the program. But the month is also filled with several signature events. In recognition of Black History Month, the Kearns Center will host a Black History Month Luncheon on February 10 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the center. A chance for students to stop by the center, grab a plate of food, and chat with Kearns staff and fellow students. The following day the Kearns Center is hosting the third annual Douglass Read-A-Thon, February 11 at 9 a.m. The reading is a continuous, out-loud, reading by students, faculty and staff of Frederick Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, from beginning to end. The event is being co-sponsored by the Ronald E. McNair Program, the Kearns Center and the Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation. Anyone interested in reading should contact George McCormick at gmccorm4@ur.rochester.edu. The event is open to all, and you don’t have to sign up to read in order to attend. The Kearns Center’s MANE Event will take place on February 19. A natural hair care event where students will have the chance to come together in celebration of their hair, their crown, their MANE. A handful of student organizations are co-sponsoring the MANE Event with the Kearns Center. The month of February will wrap up with National TRIO Day celebrating the 40th anniversary of National TRIO Day, a celebration of access, achievement, and educational opportunity. The Kearns Center administers several TRIO programs for both high school and college students and will join colleges and universities across the country in celebration on Saturday, February 28, 2026. This event is open to current TRIO students and TRIO alum. You must RSVP to reserve your spot! Seats are limited!

March 2026

On the 18th of March, SALSA (Spanish and Latino Students’ Association) will be taking over the Kearns Center living room. And on March 19th the SSS program will host a student led Credit Workshop to help students who are interested in learning more about financial freedom and credit card debt. The event is being co-sponsored with MBA (Minority Business Alliance).  At the end of the month the Kearns Center will host the Impact Case Competition.

April 2026

In April, the Writing, Speaking, and Argument program will take over the Kearns Center living room on the 1st.

May 2026

The semester will wrap up on Saturday, May 2, with the Kearns Center’s Class of 2026 Senior Celebration. A chance for Kearns Staff to hand out stoles for students and celebrate together one last time before graduation.

A poster listing all spring events.

February:

  • 2/4: Living Room Takeover (LRT) with Minority Pre-Law Society
  • 2/10: Black History Month Luncheon
  • 2/11: LRT with BSU (Black Students’ Union)
  • 2/11: Douglass Read-A-Thon
  • 2/18: McNair Induction Ceremony
  • 2/19: The MANE Event
  • 2/25: LRT with the Student Fellowships Office
  • 2/28: National TRIO Day

March:

  • 3/18: LRT with SALSA (Spanish and Latino Students’ Association)
  • 3/19: SSS Credit Workshop
  • 3/21: Impact Case Competition Info Session
  • 3/27: Impact Case Competition

April:

  • 4/1: LRT with the Writing, Speaking and Argument program

May

  • 5/2: Kearns Class of 2026 Senior Celebration