House System

Student Life‍ ‍|    Traditions    |    Life in Franklin  |    House System   |    Music    |    Clubs   |    Student Residence   |    Resources

A silver trophy with ornate handles atop a wooden base. The base has a plaque that reads "New College Franklin House Cup," which is for a small liberal arts school.

Inspired by the British tradition of placing students in houses to foster community, camaraderie, and friendly competition, New College has established four houses — An Doras, Rowan, Sinai, and Trinity.

Houses are led by faculty & student officers, meet together regularly for fellowship, and are a mix of students from different years. Students are sorted by lot during freshmen orientation, drawing their house from the House Cup. Each year, the houses compete in a House Cup Competition, featuring activities from a 5K to a poetry competition. Read more about each house below!

A coat of arms with a shield featuring a white wolf on a green background, topped with a crown, and a banner below with Latin text, representing a house at a small liberal arts college.

An Doras House

An Doras House hosts the annual St. Patrick’s Day Feast. This celebration is an occasion to eat a traditional Irish meal cooked by students, listen to traditional Irish music played by students, and compete in a limerick competition. An Doras house also holds a costume and pie baking competition in the fall.

Motto: In Omnibus, Facetia et Festivitate

Head of House: Mr. Nathan Johnson

Symbol: The Door

Color: Green

Patron Saint: St. Patrick

Virtues: Hospitality, Generosity, and Good Humor

A university coat of arms featuring a shield with a dragon and a helmet above it, surrounded by a red decorative border, representing a house in a small Christian school.

Rowan House

Rowan House has taken charge of the Founders Day celebration, marking the official inauguration of the college, held as the St. George’s Day feast including traditional Turkish foods. Rowan also hosts the scavenger hunt in the fall.

Motto: Veritas et Charitas Cum Audax

Head of House: Mr. Greg Wilbur

Symbol: The Rowan Tree

Colors: Black, Silver, and Crimson

Patron Saint: St. George

Virtues: Truth, Love, and Courage

A heraldic coat of arms featuring a white stag on a blue shield, topped with a red tower, with decorative blue scrolls and a gold banner with the Latin phrase 'SOLA GRATIA VINCIT," representing a house from a Christian school.

Trinity House

Trinity House kicks off the school year with the annual St. Augustine’s Feast including barbecue and dancing. They also host a game night in the spring.

Motto: Sola Gratia Vincit

Head of House: Mr. Brandon Spun

Symbol: The Three Towers of the Fortress Church

Colors: Blue and White

Patron Saint: St. Augustine

Virtues: Grace, Fealty, and Zeal

A heraldic crest with purple, white, and gold colors, featuring a wolf and bird emblem, a wheel, and Latin banner with text, representing a house in a small Christian college.

Sinai House

Sinai House is our newest house, currently in its second year. They host St. Catherine’s Day Feast in the fall, complete with a trivia tournament.

Motto: Diligite Iustitiam Qui Iudicatis Terram

Head of House: Dr. Carolyn Weber

Symbol: The Ten Commandments

Colors: Purple, Gold

Patron Saint: St. Catherine of Alexandria

Virtues: Wisdom, Meekness, and Wit


Which house will you be sorted into?

Apply now to find out — it only takes 10 mins!

APPLY NOW
Founder of New College Franklin, a liberal arts school, drawing names out of the school house cup.
A group of liberal arts students in a game of gaga ball.
Liberal arts students playing yard games.
A group of students from a liberal arts school dancing in a room with string lights.
A pecan pie in a glass dish on a floral tablecloth with yellow, red, and green flowers, from a pie competition at a liberal arts school.
A group of students and faculty from a liberal arts school sitting outside under string lights.
Three professors from a small liberal arts school standing in a room smiling.
Three liberal arts students dressed for a costume party.
A group of liberal arts students sitting and talking under a pavilion.
A group of liberal arts students laughing.
A group of students from a small classical school at a school event.