Page 13 - 1909 November - To Dragma

8 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS AT DE PAUW

Each college year at DePauw, as at all other schools, is f u l l of
the things that have grown dear to students from generation to
generation. A t first the freshman feels only awe for all these things,
that are to play so large a part in his college life. He next feels
that wonderful enthusiasm for it all, and when, at the latter part of
the year, farewells are being said to the senior class, that is going
out to do honor to its Alma Mater, he feels a tender reverence.

Once each month, there is a university service at which the
president preaches. On this especial Sunday afternoon Me Harry
Hall is packed with a crowd, that contrasts strangely with the one
seen in the same place on the morning of some big athletic event.

Perhaps the grandest day in the DePauw year is "Old Gold Day"
which comes at the close of the foot ball season. I t is the day on
which we count proudly the "scalps" we have won, and quite easily
forget i f we have lost any on the athletic field. I t is on this day,
that the supremacy of the two under classes is decided in different
ways. First of all, in the morning there is the stirring chapel where
classes vie with one another in songs and yells, but "all unite to shout
and sing in praise of Old DePauw." There is a foot ball, a basket
ball and a "scramble" contest, in which the freshmen and sopho-
mores fight for the glory of their class. Then there is the 'Varsity
game which closes the foot ball season, and happy is DePauw i f
the old gold is victorious. There is also a May-pole dance on the
campus in which the girls of the two under classes participate.

At night, there is a huge bon fire on the campus around which
college songs are sung, and weird dances are executed. These no
doubt are closely related to the Indian war dance. After the bon-
fire burns low, there is a great mass-meeting in Me Harry Hall.
Here of course is the usual amount of yelling, and after a time, the
very heart and soul of each DePauw man and woman is poured into
the songs that long afterwards live in their memories. The foot-ball
heroes and faculty members are called upon for short speeches, and
the day is closed by awarding the "D's" to the men who have so well
represented the old gold on the foot-ball field.

Until a very few years ago, the freshmen and sophomores su-
premacy has been decided by a flag rush on Washington's birthday;
but it was decided that a better way was to be found of settling
that momentous question, and also a more profitable way of spending
that holiday. The college carnival was instituted. This is given
for the benefit of the athletic fund. I t is given in the gymnasium