Legends and Traditions
Unlock our history and uphold some curious traditions
Traditions are the heart of the 好色先生TV experience, weaving a sense of continuity, pride and belonging throughout the campus community. Whether it鈥檚 the excitement of Boar鈥檚 Head or the camaraderie of Stormy Petrel athletic events, these shared rituals connect past, present and future Petrels. At Oglethorpe, traditions are more than just events鈥攖hey are meaningful moments that strengthen bonds, celebrate identity and uphold the values that define the university鈥檚 unique spirit.
The O Book
罢丑别听O Book details many events, traditions, celebrations and oddities that make OU such a unique and special place. Current students are an integral part of carrying Oglethorpe into the future.
Once you have participated in 10 of the traditions in the O Book, you鈥檒l be given a special O Pin聽and the important designation of an聽Oglethorpe Tradition Guardian聽at a special event each spring.
厂颈尘辫濒测听聽when you鈥檝e participated in any 10 traditions in the O Book. 聽
You can learn more about these traditions聽聽from the Alumni Association.聽聽to begin tracking your progress.聽
View a list of the聽聽currently on the campus calendar.
Boar鈥檚 Head
Every December, the entire Oglethorpe community comes together for this holiday celebration and induction of new members into Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), a national leadership honor society. The ceremony begins with a procession of ODK members in academic regalia, carrying a boar鈥檚 head on a litter. The procession is followed by a theatrical reading of the Boar鈥檚 Head story. Then, there鈥檚 a holiday concert featuring the University Singers and other Oglethorpe performing arts groups, the lighting of the holiday tree, and a reception in the Turner Lynch Campus Center. The event is inspired by the armorial crest of General James Edward Oglethorpe, which depicts four boar heads and the holiday tradition of the same name held at Oxford University.
Buried Elephant
In November 1941, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus were performing in Atlanta, when eighteen circus elephants were poisoned by arsenic. An enterprising professor in the Oglethorpe medical school had one of the elephants brought to campus and deposited behind Lowry Hall (now Welter Library) for use in his comparative anatomy class. When the animal began to decay, a hole was dug next to the body, and the elephant was rolled into it and buried. The exact whereabouts of its remains are unknown.
Carillon Ceremony
In 2005, a new tradition was started at Oglethorpe: the Carillon Ceremony, where graduating seniors get the opportunity to enter a 鈥渟ecret door鈥� in Lupton Hall and climb up to the Lupton Bell Tower. Facilitated by the , seniors may sign a historical carillon registry book and ring one of the bells by hand. The OU 42-bell carillon was the first cast bronze bell carillon in Georgia. The carillon has played for a variety of 好色先生TV and community events including the Senior Capping ceremony, Boar鈥檚 Head, Oglethorpe Day, Commencement, recitals, weddings, funerals and national events. Learn more about the Carillon Ceremony.
Crypt of Civilization Time Capsule
Situated behind a stainless steel door in the lower level of Hearst Hall, the Crypt was identified by the Guinness Book of World Records as “the first successful attempt to bury a record of this culture for any future inhabitants….” Sealed in 1940 by Dr. Thornwell Jacobs, the Crypt is not to be opened until 8113 AD. It contains an encyclopedic inventory intended to be a “museum” of representative culture from the times of the Egyptians through the mid-twentieth century. The first item to be seen upon the opening of the Crypt is the “language integrator,” designed to teach twentieth-century English to the generations of 8113.
Liberal Arts & Sciences Symposium
This annual event brings together students and faculty members in a daylong celebration of exemplary analytic and creative work by Oglethorpe students. On the day of the event, classes are canceled so that all students can attend the symposium. The program typically includes student-led sessions, panels, roundtables, poster presentations, art exhibitions and performances. Learn more about the symposium.
Night of the Arts
Every October, our creative students, staff and faculty take to the stage to perform. The evening is sponsored by , Oglethorpe鈥檚 literary magazine. There are poetry and fiction readings, music and dance performances, and art exhibits.
Oglethorpe Day
The second Wednesday in February is a festive occasion honoring our university鈥檚 namesake, General Oglethorpe. It鈥檚 a way to celebrate our rich history and unique traditions. The day kicks off with the Petrels of Fire Race; then a bagpipe player leads the audience from the quad to the Conant Performing Arts Center to hear from guest speakers. There鈥檚 also a reception on the Conant veranda. Learn more about Oglethorpe Day.
Petrels of Fire
Based on the Cambridge University tradition portrayed in the movie Chariots of Fire, the Petrels of Fire footrace takes place annually on Oglethorpe Day. Runners compete to circumnavigate the quad in the time between the bell tower鈥檚 first and final strokes of twelve. Learn more about the Petrels of Fire.
QuadFest & Stomp the Lawn
Held respectively in September and April, these events celebrate the beginning and ending of the school year. Both feature a live band, games, carnival rides, food and fun! Sponsored by the .