The Civil Works Administration was a short-term (November 8, 1933–March 31, 1934) federal program designed to help the unemployed get through the winter of 1933–34. The national program employed approximately four million people. In 1933 the local board of the Civil Works Administration approved $30,000 for improvements to the campus upon the application of the … Continued

Paul Soper, head of the theatre program, wrote President Brehm in early 1954 advocating construction of a proscenium theatre on campus, which he estimated would cost $125,000 to build. He suggested issuing bonds to be repaid as the loan for Carousel had been repaid, or solicitation of donors. In 1956 Vice President Andy Holt sought … Continued

The Clarence Brown Theatre Company is a professional equity company founded in 1974 by Theatre Department Head Ralph Allen (appointed head in 1972) and Sir Anthony Quayle, who served as artistic director. Quayle had been on campus in spring 1974 through a partnership with the Kennedy Center starring in Henry Denker’s The Headhunters, which rehearsed … Continued

In December 1918 the faculty adopted the policy that “the number of allowable absences from class shall equal the number of class meetings of the class per week.” When a student’s absences exceeded this number, the student was required to take, at once, a special examination covering such work as the professor directed and pay … Continued

The first edition of the Volunteer (1897) records the colors, flower, motto, and yell each class had chosen as its own. The senior class in 1897 had chosen old gold and olive green for its colors, the Lily of the Valley as its flower, and Excelsior as its motto. Its yell was Come up Seven! … Continued

The first recorded class day was in 1877, although it is likely that the tradition existed previously. Class day activities included planting a young tree and placing a memorial plaque near it; reading of the class poem, history, and prophecy; and the delivery of an address. Class day was a part of commencement week activities.

The Freshman Council decided in 2000 that a flag for the class of 2004 would be designed. The design chosen was a torch with a large orange flame and a deep blue background. Encircling the torch and flame were two rings.

After the Civil War, it became the custom of graduating classes to plant a young tree on the Hill and place before it a stone to memorialize the class on its class day.  The plaques marking the class trees of 1877, 1879, 1881, and 1882 remain on the Hill in front of Ayres Hall. Classes … Continued

In 1990 the Development and Alumni Affairs Division instituted a formal program of a Senior Class Gift at the request of Chancellor Quinn. Called the Senior Gift Challenge, the goal of the program was to involve students in a hands-on project, which allowed them to contribute to the university. Representatives of the senior class chose … Continued