Every 大学 has its own unique set of traditions and legacies that students will remember when they graduate, but those memories can be different for everyone — a unique combination of the friends, student groups and programs each student associated with that is authentic to their particular experience. 这当然是事实 at the 北科罗拉多大学 (UNC) where students who march in the Pride of the Rockies might remember their time 在校园 differently compared to a student 攻读博士学位.
Many faculty and staff attended UNC, but they all give differing insight into the 大学. For instance, Tobias Guzmán, '95, vice president for the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, notes how there are even traditions today that he didn’t experience 学生时代的自己.
“We definitely have the tradition now of not stepping on the center court in Gunter 霍尔，”Guzmán指出. “Students don’t do that, especially during finals, they feel 那是坏运气. That wasn’t the case when I was a student, but that’s mostly 因为那是健身房.”
Nor was Guzmán rubbing the bronze bust in Ross Hall for good luck, a tradition that was established in more recent years, but he remembers how the Pride of the Rockies marching band would lead students to the opening barbeques at the start of the year. That’s one tradition that hasn’t changed as Daniel Farr, associate director of bands, still has his students lead the start-of-the-year celebrations. 另一个传统 that Farr is especially proud of continuing is the reputation of the music program which has historically been known for its professionalism and renowned for its performance 音乐教育.
“The Pride of the Rockies marching band has always been an organization dedicated to inclusivity, 社区 and entertainment,” said Farr. “我很荣幸能继续 the traditions passed down by the incomparable Dick Mayne.”
A tradition which continues to this day is the overall atmosphere of friendliness 在校园.
“One of the things I commonly hear about is that we have a 校园 where people look up and talk to you,” explained Guzmán. “I always refer to that as being a relational 校园. I have been on three other 校园es, and I have not witnessed that.”
Si同样，克里斯·科布，2003年，M.A. ’09, Ph.D. ’14, executive director of Student 参与ment, has noticed in his 20 years 在校园 that the 大学 has made putting students 首先是另一种传统. As a student, Cobb felt how 社区-oriented the 校园 was and it’s part of why he’s stayed here, both as a student and staff, for 和他一样长.
“It felt like I was seen in a way where I wasn't getting lost among thousands and thousands 科布说. “I felt like this was an environment where [faculty] knew who I was, and they were invested in my success.”
The warmth of the faculty and knowing that both faculty and staff put students first, was a driving factor in why Cobb came back to UNC when pursuing all three of his degrees.
For others, the traditions that resonate with them are the ones which punctuate the beginning and the completion of a student’s time 在校园.
“I love the 校园 tradition of taking a photo at bronze statue Northern Vision, first when you visit as a prospective student on the 校园 tour, then follow-up with a photo in your graduation regalia prior to commencement,” said Lyndsey Crum, ’05, assistant vice president for 校友关系. “It reflects the accomplishment and journey that we aspire every student take and complete.”
The beginning of a student’s college experience and the end both mark important milestones in their lives, but it’s the memories, traditions and interactions in between that make all the hard work worthwhile.
There are countless other traditions which have permeated 校园 over the years, and the 大学 is beginning to collect as many alumni memories and favorite traditions 尽可能通过新的 校友口述历史计划. In partnership with production company PCI, UNC will reach out to all alumni over the coming weeks, to invite the 社区 to share and record their fondest memories and traditions from their time as a UNC student. By this time next year, there will be a compilation of alumni stories showcasing the broad range of memories 在校园.
