House System

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A silver trophy with ornate handles atop a wooden base. The base has a plaque that reads "New College Franklin House Cup." The trophy is placed on a green painted surface with a white and gold background.

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.

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, with a Latin motto "Veritas et Charitas Cum Audax" on a gold banner at the bottom.

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'.

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.

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?

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