Dickinson Traditions

Traditions

Dickinson is proud of its status as the 16th-oldest college in America and the first chartered in the newly recognized United States (after the signing of the Treaty of Paris).

Tradition

is part of our foundation, and many traditions remain relevant in our narrative today. Whether we are quoting the original words of our founder, Dr. Benjamin Rush, or appreciating his bronze likeness which looks out across campus, whether we are walking the halls of the oldest college building, Old West, or watching the construction workers erect the newest wing of the Rector

building upon that foundation and finding

Science Complex, we are forever

common ties between then and now.

1783

1886

1786-89 First secret societies, Belles Lettres and Union Philosophical Society, formed

1872

First issue of The Dickinsonian published

1893-94 First copy of the D-Book published

1773 Land was granted on which to build a grammar school, which would later become Dickinson College 1783 An Act for the Establishment of a College at the Borough of Carlisle, in the County of Cumberland, in the State of Pennsylvania 1784 College seal adopted. A bronze replica of the college seal was embedded in Britton Plaza in 2003—legend has it that if a student steps on the seal, they will not graduate.

1803 Old West was designed by architect Benjamin Latrobe, including the addition of a mermaid weathervane in the cupola 1845 Dickinson was among the first colleges to use field study to take students out of the classroom thanks to Spencer Fullerton Baird, class of 1840 and professor of natural history 1868 First issue of Microcosm yearbook published

1896 Raven’s Claw allmale senior honorary society founded

circa

1900

1920

1924

Red and white established as the official Dickinson colors

1930 The Red Devil became the official college mascot

1886 Dickinson established a Phi Beta Kappa chapter—the first in Pennsylvania 1920 The class of 1900 gave the first Dickinson College archway gate for its 20th reunion 1924 The first Homecoming celebration was held Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 1924 Wheel and Chain all-women senior honorary society founded 1938 The Little Brown Bucket was established as the prize for winning a rivalry football game against Gettysburg 1952 The ROTC program was started on campus and remains one of the longest-running programs in the nation 1962 The college gathered for the first time before the stone steps of Old West to celebrate Commencement

1965

1951 College Mace adopted and carried at the head of all academic processions

1999 1967

2000

Red Adirondack chairs became an integral component of campus life

1963 Dickinson football defeated Franklin & Marshall to win the Conestoga Wagon trophy for the first time 1965 Launch of Dickinson’s first study-abroad program in Bologna, Italy 1967 After sitting atop Old West for more than 160 years and after numerous pranks and attempted thefts, the original mermaid was finally moved to a safe place in the library and replaced with a replica 1969 The foundation of the Sports Hall of Fame, honoring Dickinson legends such as Ben James ’34, a member of the 1931 football team that defeated Penn State 10-6 1970 Dickinson celebrates the first Earth Day with a Public Affairs Symposium titled “Science and Public Policy: Environmental Pollution”

2004

2008 First building on campus earned LEED certification

2010 Class icons created to promote affinity among classmates

2011 Charter Day established as an opportunity for the campus community to commemorate the enactment of Dickinson’s charter

2012

circa 1979 Formal Thanksgiving dinners held in the Dining Hall quickly became one of the most anticipated culinary events of the academic year 1999 The act of signing in to the college at opening Convocation began 2000 John Dickinson’s lion became a fixture at Commencement and Convocation 2004 A bronze statue of Benjamin Rush was installed on campus and has become the site of numerous traditions itself, including having photos taken around the statue after Commencement, and dressing and decorating the statue to celebrate various occasions 2012 President William G. Durden ’71 honored our founder during the Senior Class Toast when he raised the pewter tankard that once belonged to Benjamin Rush