Ducks, Dogs, and Delight: Assumption’s Duck Day Review

Ella Bradshaw

Staff Writer

On Thursday, April 23, during common hour, Assumption University hosted its fifteenth annual Duck Day celebration.

A number of local elementary school students joined the Assumption community to watch the ducks run down the red carpet into the pond, commuting from the Jewish Community Early Childhood Center, Flagg Street School, and Nelson Place School.

Duck Day was a successful celebration of the arrival of spring, presented by the hardworking effort of Assumption’s Student Government Association. SGA organized a number of events leading up to Duck Day, including the sale of exclusive t-shirts, opportunities for bidding on the names of the ducks, and even bringing the baby ducks into Hagan Campus Center during the common hour a few weeks ago to increase excitement.

Proceeds collected from name-bidding and t-shirt sales are going to be sent to the Prince of Peace School, which is an Assumptionist school in the Beni region of the Congo in Africa, according to SGA. 

In a newsletter from the Prince of Peace School from December 2024, representatives describe how “The school has seen exceptional growth since its beginning, which you have made possible by your prayers and generosity…Education is one of the hallmarks of the Assumptionists and we take great pride in the success of this institution…All who have been involved in the success of this institution can give thanks to God for what has been accomplished in such a short time…..and there is reason to believe that with your continued support, Prince of Peace will grow and provide its students with an excellent education.” 

Although Duck Day has only been an official celebration for 15 years, this spring was the 35th return of the ducks to campus. This year, the young ducklings ran right down the red carpet—they did so well, and we are so proud of them!

Duck Day was especially important this year as it simultaneously fell on Assumption’s annual Day of Giving, which invited alumni to make gifts in order to sponsor and empower the increased support of current students on their individual academic journeys. A special thanks goes out to all givers this year who have promoted our university’s community!

SGA’s Duck Day celebration was a fun-filled event with food, merch, and most importantly—ducks! Many students got to take pictures of some young ducklings hanging out by the pond. President Weiner paraded the ducks around the pond on a golf cart before their red-carpet arrival, and his two greyhounds attended the event in duck costumes. The ducks are quite the popular crew—multiple speeches were given prior to their release, including a prayer from Campus Ministry. 

The ducks are now waddling around happily, spending time in the pond and around campus. Happy Duck Day, for all who celebrate!