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The Dartmouth
HISTORY from page 5
dates all dressed up for a fancy dinner party at the Mitchell Lake Gun Club in Nor wich. On Saturday, the group spent the night at a lodge on the banks of Reser voir Pond. Sherman, a DOC trip leader, built the fire and cooked the meals for his friends. Sunday mor ning, Sherman woke up before ever yone else and slipped out for a lone canoe ride on the pond. “The lake was blue and smooth as glass, but all else was white,” Sherman said. “Smarts Mountain was gorgeous. Six inches of snow ever ywhere. Breakfast could wait. I wanted to savor the beauty of Dartmouth at its ver y best.” Hums, a singing competition between different campus groups that started in 1899, became another beloved Green Key tradition as the
competition became more humorous and satirical in the 1970s. Theta Delta Chi fraternity performed the winning song in 1976, titled “Our Cohogs.” With original lyrics to the tune of “This Old Man,” the song mocked female students, with lines like “Our cohogs, they play four/ They’re a bunch of dirty whores.” The song provoked widespread controversy on campus. Patrick Connolly ’85, an alumnus of Bones Gate fraternity, said that the Hums competition was the most memorable part of his Green Key experience. He recalls one song called “Phi Delt Man” performed to the tune of The Beatles’ “Nowhere Man.” Some of the lyrics included, “He’s a real Phi Delt Man/ Your boot covered porch is at our command.” Much like today’s Green Key weekend, Webster Avenue was
GREEN KEY 2013
bustling with outdoor parties and pong tables, live music and opportunities for relaxation. Phi Delta Alpha fraternity hosted a band on their porch, which students gathered around. “The thing I remember most was the really relaxed atmosphere,” Connolly said. “The weather was good. It’s springtime. You’re hanging out with friends. It was a good chance to let your hair down, a last hurrah before you had to buckle down for finals.” Still, some alumni view Green Key as insignificant part of their Dartmouth experience. Economics professor Charles Wheelan ’88, an alumnus of Alpha Delta fraternity said it was far from a defining collegiate experience. “I don’t remember them ver y well,” Wheelan said. “I do remember it being a happy ritual of spring.”
Friday, May 17, 2013
Courtesy of Rauner Special Collections
A crowd of students at a past Green Key celebrate with friends and drinks.
Freshmen unsure about Green Key FRESHMEN from page 6
have fun,” Williams said. “There is a lot of hype behind it, so I really do hope it will be fun.” Athanas also said that he believes Green Key will be a very inclusive time, given the weekend’s outdoor parties. “Nothing seems more inclusive than an activity outside,” he said. “The whole idea of the Greek system is that you are obviously going to
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be specially bounded in the house, you can’t flip-flop between houses. When everyone’s outside, you can just walk around and meet people.” Despite his expectations, Athanas said he predicts that Green Key will not be his favorite big weekend. “I really think I will like Homecoming the most,” Athanas said, “There is nothing like the nostalgia of meeting people who have experienced the same things as you.” Waychoff said she enjoyed the
increased alumni presence and running around the bonfire 116 times during Homecoming, while Winter Carnival coincided with her birthday. “The thing about Homecoming is that it’s more ceremonial. It’s the moment you spiritually join the Dartmouth community,” Churchill said, “I think you get a sense for just how extensive the alumni network and the people who support the Dartmouth community is.”
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STEPHEN CHEN/The Dartmouth Staff
Freshmen look forward to outdoor activities, parties and music, but many remain unsure of what the weekend will bring.