College News and Fun Facts: Dickinson University
SIGNING IN/SIGNING OUT. Each year, new Dickinsonians gather in front of Old West’s venerable stone steps. Literally etched with history and scuffed by centuries of students, those steps are part of Dickinson’s most important traditions.
MERMAID. As Benjamin Latrobe designed Old West on Dickinson’s campus, he was instructed to include a cupola for a bell. After consulting his text on Greek architecture, Latrobe decided to model the cupola loosely on the Athenian Tower of the Winds. To further this association, Latrobe ordered a likeness of Triton, the fish-tailed mythological god of the sea, to be placed atop the cupola as a weathervane.
DEBATE AND HONORS SOCIETIES. The first student organizations at Dickinson College (and among the first in America) were two literary societies, Belles Lettres Society (est. 1786) and Union Philophical Society (est. 1789). The societies served as forums for political debate. Student life in the 19th century revolved around public debate and exhibitions that were hosted by both societies, and the societies regularly challenged each other to debate.
Read more traditions.
- Color: Red and White
- Mascot: Red Devil
- Admit Rate: 49% (Class of 2022). Read more
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
- March 1, 2023
Williams College
Williams Purple is the new green. Williams has made a strong commitment to being a friendly and responsible member of the global community. Color: Gold, Purple, and White Mascot: Ephelia the Purple Cow Admit Rate: 12.2% (Class of 2022) Read … More
- January 1, 2023
University of Rochester
Boar’s Head Dinner. One of the University’s oldest and most beloved traditions, the Boar’s Head Dinner began in 1934 and is held annually in December. The dinner recalls the spirit of English court dinners, such as those served at Queens … More
- January 1, 2023
Harvey Mudd College
One of the premier engineering, science and mathematics colleges in the United States. Source Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 Source 1 – Most Innovative Schools 2 – Best Undergraduate Engineering Program Color: Gold and Black Mascot: Stag and Athenas Admit Rate: 13% … More
- January 1, 2023
Vanderbilt University
AL GORE: The former vice-president and presidential candidate dropped out of Vanderbilt not once, but twice! Ironically, a man who carved out a space for global warming in the national political agenda was fairly terrible at the sciences according to … More