History and Traditions
Description
In the spring of 2003, the Student-Alumni Council resurrected an Ohio State tradition dating back to the 1900's - May Week! This week-long celebration serves to showcase campus organizations and departments through events which link students, faculty and staff. Members of the steering committee organize programs focusing on academics, wellness, recreation, athletics, cultural diversity, Ohio State traditions, buckeye pride and community service.
Historical Celebrations
May Day was first celebrated by the university in 1910 when the Women's Council organized a May Fete to replace traditional May pole dances. The term "May Week" was then adopted to describe the May celebrations in 1939. The week-long event has also been known as Traditions Week. Historically, May Week served to showcase initiation ceremonies for class honoraries including Bucket and Dipper, Mortar Board and Sphinx. Traditional events include:
- Selection of the May Queen - much like Homecoming, May Week honored one student, later called Miss OSU
- May Week Supper/Breakfast - Students, faculty and staff attended the event and the University Band provided entertainment
- Lantern Duties - the Senior class presented the "obligations of senior year" to the Junior class with a passing of the flame ceremony
- May Fete - elaborate theater productions including "The Spirit of Spring," "Birth of Ohio," "Time of Your Life," and "Democracy's Final Triumph In Spite of Opposition"
- May Carnival - held traditionally in French Field House
- One Day Off - students were dismissed from class to participate in pie eating contests, bed races, bicycle races, watermelon eating, pajama parades, and a "Teach In" at University Hall
- Also included in May Week's past: school dances, Student Leadership Recognition Dinner and Twighlight Concerts
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