Traditions

Transcript

Emma is up next to share some important Iowa State traditions and tell us her favorite.

– Thanks, Alex. Hi, everyone. When choosing a college, I had a very specific checklist. I knew I wanted everything that a large university had to offer. The chance to join a sorority, a Division I football team and a location that’s close enough to my parents that they can come visit, but far enough away that it would never be a surprise. Iowa State checked every box. Innovation happens every day on our campus. In our classrooms, labs, student organization meetings. But alongside innovation, tradition also guides some of our closest beliefs and actions. In joining a sorority, attending athletics events, and even just finding myself on campus at the right time, I’ve been immersed in Iowa State traditions. From Yell Like Hell homecoming skits, all the way to singing “Sweet Caroline” after a cyclone win. ♪ Sweet Caroline ♪ ♪ Ba-Ba-Ba ♪ One tradition that guides the behavior of thousands of students every day is the zodiac. In 1929, students decided that if you walked across the zodiac while entering the Memorial Union, you were doomed to fail your next exam. The only way to reverse the curse is to throw a coin into the fountain of the four seasons. If you’ve successfully avoided the zodiac, you will walk right into another one of Iowa State’s most cherish traditions, the Gold Star Hall. Which is a Memorial to students who have lost their lives serving our country. My favorite tradition of all has to be campaniling. Legend has it that you are not a true Iowa Stater until you have kissed your sweetheart underneath the campanile at the stroke of midnight. Now, if you’re wondering, I am not a true Iowa Stater quite yet. Hopefully we will get there by the end of my senior year. Coming to college is about more than just learning in the classroom, it’s about getting to be a part of something much bigger than myself. It’s about ingraining myself in Iowa State’s history and always embracing traditions, both old and new. Isn’t that right, Alex?

– Exactly right, Emma. Traditions are part of the college experience you carry with you into your alumni years. Through stories and continued participation. Take care. There is so much happening at Iowa State University of Science and Technology. Thank