What was your favorite student tradition when you were on Grounds?
The most-mentioned custom, coming from alumni spanning the 1960s to the 2000s, was wearing coats and ties—both to classes and sporting events. Laura Terry (Col class of ’06) wrote: “We used to get dressed up for football games, although this tradition was phasing out while I was there. Everyone looked so nice!”
Many alumni also mentioned the Lighting of the Lawn, a yearly occurrence since 2001 to foster a spirit of unity and resilience. “I loved LOTL because it was such a nice way for the university community to come together right before finals,” wrote Lauren Bryant (Col class of ’15). “I loved bringing hot chocolate and getting all bundled up to hear the a capella groups sing. The lights on the Rotunda and the Lawn seemed to get more sophisticated and intricate every year. It was one of my favorite events and always signified the beginning of the holiday season and end of the semester.”
“The list of 114 things to do before graduation! This became such a source of joy, especially my fourth year, to do more around Charlottesville and make memories with friends. I tried more and explored more than I would have otherwise. For example, going to my first vineyard with my sister at Pippin Hill—which I named my dog after five years later! My best friend would call me almost every weekend and ask what endeavor we’d check off the list. I hope it’s a tradition that is still going!”
“Service fraternity step shows.”
“For several years, our group of friends would dress up for Halloween and make our way to TJ’s, a popular bar on the Corner, for their annual Halloween costume contest. One year we were a box of crayons and another year we went as a portable bar, complete with all the fixings for a Seven and Seven! We would spend weeks on the planning and execution of our group entry for the contest. This picture is from 1983 at our apartment on Brandon Avenue. Most of us were nursing students at the time, using Halloween escapades as an escape from the academic rigor!”
“I loved the dorm sing cabaret we were treated to in our first week. I had never really seen top-tier a cappella and was blown away by the talent! Such a fun way to get introduced to the vibrant culture of UVA.”
“Receiving a nickel at the first-year welcome ceremony on the Lawn. The speaker noted that the next time our class would assemble on the Lawn, we’d be facing the opposite direction on graduation day.”
I’m tempted to say Easters Weekend but instead will mention the sidewalk vents from the steam tunnels. On cold rainy evenings, my college sweetheart (now my husband of 50 years) and I would take walks and would stand under his black umbrella over those warm, cozy vents. We still reminisce about that!”
“Beta Bridge painting.”
“I valued the community of trust fostered by the Honor Code. During my second year I left a brand-new trench coat in Cabell Hall. A week later I went back to get it. It never even occurred to me that it might not be there, and of course it was.”
“Being drum major of our beloved Pep Band.”
“Hauntings on the Hill at Brown College! I was always so involved. I was one of the three co-chairs in 1997. Probably why I’m in charge of the school trunk-or-treat event every year.”
“First year, during fall semester exams, I went to a showing of It’s a Wonderful Life. It was the first time I’d heard of it or seen it. The audience participation—boos when Mr. Potter first appears, cheers for George Bailey—made it such a memorable experience. To this day, I watch it every year at Christmas, and my grown children are sick of me telling them how I first watched it at UVA during exams. It was a classic UVA experience!”
“Basketball games in U-Hall. I particularly loved when we played Maryland.”
