Seniors Revive Traditions To Mark Their Passage

By Jenn Farrell

Commencement celebrates the accomplishments of the previous four years and marks a passage into a new stage of life. This year's graduates are commemorating their passage with several events-some from revived DU traditions.

At the beginning of spring quarter, an All Undergraduate Student Association (AUSA) task force researched past traditions at DU and at schools like Harvard, Vanderbilt and Stanford. Students discovered the DU Red Vest Awards, a tradition from the 1940s-60s named for the red vest worn by the chancellor. Now, seniors are giving the old tradition new life. The awards, which recognized five students who made outstanding contributions to DU, were presented at a senior dinner on May 26.

The senior dinner is another twist to an old tradition. Seniors who attended the event went through a "pinning ceremony," ushering them into the alumni family.

"Having traditions makes students proud of their school and conveys history and accomplishment," says senior marketing major Bryan Villano, who chaired the AUSA committee.

Seniors also attended other special events, like a Colorado Rockies game, a Frisbee golf tournament and an outing to Dave and Buster's.

Undergraduate students aren't the only ones bidding farewell to DU. The Daniels College of Business and College of Law hosted galas for their graduate students. Law students celebrated and reminisced with faculty and staff at the Barrister's Ball at the Westin Hotel in downtown Denver, while graduate business students donned their formal wear at the Brown Palace.

"Graduation is a defining moment in the life of a college student. It marks a transition into adulthood and the 'real world,'" says Carl Johnson, director of Greek Life and Student Programs. "The graduation ceremony and the events leading up to it are like a rite of passage. These events typically provide the 'bookend' to their collegiate experience by balancing out the 'welcome week' activities of their first year."