The University of Arizona: Bobcats Senior Honorary
James Allen
History and Traditions
Tradition Paper
Bobcats Senior Honorary
The University of Arizona is an institution of academic greatness, progressive social experiences, and brilliant research. As Arizona’s first, Land Grant University, it is home to many loving alumni who have built a rich and nationally competitive amount of school spirit and tradition. Though many traditions are visible and well known, such as the tale of John Button Salmon and his famous last words, “Bear Down,” there are many other intricacies and groups that exist on campus adding to the weave of the University’s collective traditions. One such organization is known as the Bobcats, a senior year honorary associated with the UA Alumni Association, that has developed in purpose since its inception in 1922 to today. Its purpose is to “preserve the unity and welfare of the University of Arizona by always being alert to guide in the right direction.” (Alumni Association) As one can imagine, this group has a particularly poignant role in the campus community.
To better understand the Bobcats, it is important to first learn how and why the organization first came in to being. At the beginning of the 20th century, many university student populations were protesting conditions at their institutions, often creating disfavor from wealthy contributors and the legislature. At the University of Arizona, one of these “conditions” was a tradition where all freshmen got their hair clipped and shaved as they got off the train that took them to school; the sole means of entrance and transport to the university. After World War 1, when the student populations dwindled to record lows, the returning students struggled to agree on and enforce this past tradition, and vast disagreement broke out. Instead, the freshly grown and restored class of 1919 decided to begin painting the freshmen’s heads green, which created a new wave of disagreement and arguing. The student body and administration fervently
History and Traditions
Tradition Paper
Bobcats Senior Honorary
The University of Arizona is an institution of academic greatness, progressive social experiences, and brilliant research. As Arizona’s first, Land Grant University, it is home to many loving alumni who have built a rich and nationally competitive amount of school spirit and tradition. Though many traditions are visible and well known, such as the tale of John Button Salmon and his famous last words, “Bear Down,” there are many other intricacies and groups that exist on campus adding to the weave of the University’s collective traditions. One such organization is known as the Bobcats, a senior year honorary associated with the UA Alumni Association, that has developed in purpose since its inception in 1922 to today. Its purpose is to “preserve the unity and welfare of the University of Arizona by always being alert to guide in the right direction.” (Alumni Association) As one can imagine, this group has a particularly poignant role in the campus community.
To better understand the Bobcats, it is important to first learn how and why the organization first came in to being. At the beginning of the 20th century, many university student populations were protesting conditions at their institutions, often creating disfavor from wealthy contributors and the legislature. At the University of Arizona, one of these “conditions” was a tradition where all freshmen got their hair clipped and shaved as they got off the train that took them to school; the sole means of entrance and transport to the university. After World War 1, when the student populations dwindled to record lows, the returning students struggled to agree on and enforce this past tradition, and vast disagreement broke out. Instead, the freshly grown and restored class of 1919 decided to begin painting the freshmen’s heads green, which created a new wave of disagreement and arguing. The student body and administration fervently
Bibliography: 1) Alumni Association. "The Bobcats History." ArizonaAlumni.com. University of Arizona. Web. 19 Oct. 2011.<http://www.arizonaalumni.com/Bobcats/history.shtml>. 2) Chambers, George. "Organization of Wildcats." The Arizona Daily Wildcat [Tucson] 22 Mar. 1922. Print.