Every year, the Kean community takes two weeks to honor the establishment of our institution and the students who keep it going. During the Fall, there’s the bliss of homecoming, full of tailgating, football games, and iconic performers taking on the Wilkins Theatre. However, there’s nothing like that one week in April, where students come together to celebrate the founding of our University, Unity Week.
Unity Week has been a Kean tradition since 1998 and highlights our community’s cultural diversity, with fun events hosted by Kean’s staff and students. This year’s Unity Week features over 80 events across campus, and with Kean’s emphasis on student involvement, the newly introduced Unity Week Competition allows students to earn points for each event they attend, with a prize for those at the top of the leaderboard.
There have been additional fun elements added to this year’s Unity Week beyond the competition; here’s the week's layout for some of our major events, but be sure to check Cougar Link for anything you don’t want to miss.
Monday, April 6
The first day of the week kicks off with the much-loved Culture Fest at the MSC Plaza from 3 to 5 p.m., where students engage in a cultural exchange full of food, music, and learning.
Then, students have about an hour to take a breath before the Cougar All Stars: Students vs. Faculty/Staff basketball game hosted by the class of 2027 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Harwood Arena. A fun night where students engage with one another and take part in some friendly competition.
Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 8
On Tuesday and Wednesday, two new events will be introduced to Unity Week: The Price is What Game Show in the MSC Little Theater on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m., and Salsa Magic in Downs Hall on Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10
The second half of Unity Week features the event that the campus holds its breath for: the Unity Week Comedy show in the Wilkins Theatre from 9 to 10 p.m., with newly famous comedian Josh Johnson. Tickets are on sale now for $20-$40 ($20 for current Kean students; $40 for one guest ticket), and make sure to bring your Kean ID for check-in.
The week also introduces Games Around the Globe, where students get to learn and play fun games from different cultures and share their own!
This year’s Unity Week is bringing all the buzz, ending with our Founders 5K Walk and Run on Sunday, April 12, and even more exciting ways to show your school spirit on April 14, where students, faculty, and staff can make posts in Kean gear and around campus using the #KeanFoundersDay. Check out our 2025 recap to see how great being on one accord can be!
Let’s come together and make the most of Unity Week 2026!
