FreezeFest organizer prepares a packed schedule of events to help students celebrate and enjoy winter on campus

Rochester, New York – As winter settles in across the Rochester Institute of Technology campus, preparations are well underway for one of the season’s most anticipated student traditions. FreezeFest, a Campus Life-sponsored celebration packed with activities and events, is set to bring energy, warmth, and connection to the coldest weeks of the semester. Behind the scenes, student leaders are working to ensure the festival offers something memorable for everyone.

At the center of the planning is Troy Ramiscal, a fourth-year new media design major from Downingtown, Pa., who serves as director of the College Activities Board (CAB). CAB is a student-led organization responsible for organizing a wide range of events for students throughout the year, often in collaboration with departments and groups across the RIT community. FreezeFest, running from Jan. 25 through Feb. 7, is one of its largest undertakings, featuring more than two dozen activities spread across campus.

Ramiscal plays a key role in shaping the overall vision for the festival. “I oversee all of CAB’s event planning preparations with all the major weekend events, as well as FreezeFest. They are all unique in their own right. We try to keep it fresh every year so students can look forward to it and not think it will be exactly the same every year. This year, there will be a lot of collaborations with different departments within RIT. To get more students to come out to campus games, we have two events to raise awareness, kicking off with men’s hockey vs. Niagara on Jan. 24, and we’ll have a FreezeFest Tiger Den for the men’s and women’s basketball games on Jan. 31, giving away free merchandise with the new FreezeFest logo.”

Those collaborations and incentives are designed to draw students out of residence halls and into shared campus spaces, even during the heart of winter. In addition to athletic events, the schedule includes a wide variety of activities that balance outdoor fun with cozy indoor options.

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“At random times and events, we’ll give out free swag such as socks, scarfs, T-shirts, and cups, and we’ll have plush Roarie (winter mascot) toys. We have a large Olympic-themed event in the Gordon Field House where clubs will host some fun and friendly games and tabling events. Students will visit them to collect points during an opening ceremony. We’ll have sports themes and simulated snowboarding and giant hamsterball racing. And of course we’ll have our ice sculpture on the Quarter Mile. We’ll have skiing and snowboarding at Swain Mountain, a winter village with DIY snow globes and therapy dogs, and a performance with figure skaters. And we’ll have plenty of indoor events such as a pajama party put on by Health Promotion, and have hot chocolate and karaoke put on by the ALANA Collegiate Association for those who want to keep warm and cozy. Most of the events will be free.”

By mixing high-energy competitions with relaxed, creative experiences, organizers hope to make winter feel less like an obstacle and more like a shared celebration. Many of the activities are designed to encourage students to try something new, meet people outside their usual circles, and build traditions they will remember long after graduation.

For Ramiscal, the goal of FreezeFest goes beyond attendance numbers. “I hope students will see winter as one of their favorite seasons at RIT. I think the college academic year is so busy— the four years I’ve been here have gone by so fast. We want people to look forward to it, go to events with their friends and make new friends, and have fond memories long after they leave RIT. I’m proud of the teams in CAB for all of the work we’ve put into this and I’m excited for the students to be a part of this.”

That sense of pride reflects the effort CAB members put into planning events that resonate with students. Ramiscal’s own campus involvement mirrors that same energy. Outside of CAB, he stays active in a number of student organizations and personal interests. “On campus, I joined the New Media Club, Figma Campus Leaders, the Honors Program, and intramural volleyball. I’m really into reading, painting, and dancing. I like to read one or two books a month. Growing up, I loved reading, mostly cheesy love stories. I like a good book with a happy ending. I also really am into hiking and being out in nature. Being active puts me in a good mood. And I enjoy visiting museums. I’ve collected brochures from all the museums I’ve been to.”

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His path to RIT was shaped by a wide range of interests and a desire for flexibility. “I applied to several colleges and felt I had so many different interests and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. When it came to decision time, new media design seemed to be a good fit for me. It combined a lot of discipline, art and design, and allowed me to take so many other cool subjects, such as intro into computer science class, so that satisfied the other interests that I had.”

Since arriving at RIT, Ramiscal has taken advantage of experiential learning opportunities, including co-ops and international study. “I also did three co-ops and just came back from study abroad over winter break in South Korea. After graduation, I’m hoping to do something to combine all the things I love about my major and my organizational work with CAB. I feel I can explore my options and could end up anywhere.”
As FreezeFest approaches, that same sense of possibility and creativity is woven into the event lineup. For students braving the winter months, the festival offers a reminder that even the coldest season can be filled with activity, connection, and moments worth remembering.