Difference between revisions of "Alma Mater"

From WikiCU
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(23 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
{{wp-also2|Alma_Mater_(New_York_sculpture)}}
 +
 
[[Image:AlmaMater.jpg|thumb|180px|Alma Mater]]
 
[[Image:AlmaMater.jpg|thumb|180px|Alma Mater]]
 +
[[Image:CubanAlma.jpg|thumb|180px|Alma Mater at the University of Havana. Credit: Vaughn Scriven Photography]]
 +
[[Image:AlmaBackDesign.jpg|thumb|240px|The design stamped on the back of Alma Mater's chair]]
 +
 +
'''Alma Mater''' is literally the mother soul of the college/university. In the context of Columbia, Alma Mater almost always means the [[w:Daniel Chester French|Daniel Chester French]] sculpture that graces [[The Steps|the steps]] to [[Low Library]].
 +
 +
It was a gift of Mrs. Robert Goelet and Robert Goelet Jr. in memory of Robert Goelet, [[Columbia College]] Class of [[1860]], and presented in [[1903]].
 +
 +
Alma Mater was originally intended to be gilded, but never was. The bronze eventually oxidized and the statue was instead coated and sealed.
 +
 +
Rumor has it that back-up Alma Maters are kept at the ready should need arise, such as if it is bombed again (see below).
 +
 +
An owl is hidden in the folds of Alma Mater's robes. According to legend, the first student of each College class to find the owl would graduate Valedictorian and marry a [[Barnard College|Barnard]] woman (back when [[Columbia College]] was still all-male.)
  
−
'''Alma Mater''' is the mother soul of the college/university.
+
On the back of Alma Mater's chair you'll find the [[Columbia Crown]] and [[Columbia Seal]] lightly embossed in the metal.
  
−
== Sculpture ==
+
Columbia's Alma Mater has a sister at the University of Havana. The Cuban Alma Mater was created in [[1919]] by Mario Korbel and inspired by Columbia's Alma Mater, while Korbel was residing in New York City. More recently, it served as somewhat uncanny validation for [[Bill O'Reilly]]'s claim that Columbia is the "University of Havana North".
  
−
There is a Daniel Chester French sculpture of Alma Mater that graces [[The Steps|the steps]] to [[Low Library]].
+
== Vandalism ==
 +
Alma Mater was bombed in the spring of 1970. The New York Times of May 15, 1970 reports that "a bomb partially damaged the statue of Alma Mater at Columbia University" and "tore a hole in the side of the statue."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1970/05/15/archives/jackson-police-fire-on-students-2-killed-and-12-injured-at-womens.html ''JACKSON POLICE FIRE ON STUDENTS''], New York Times, 15 May 1970.</ref>
  
−
Alma Mater was originally intended to be guilt in gold, but never was. The bronze eventually oxidized and the statue was instead coated and sealed.
+
In fall of [[1984]], Alma Mater's crown-topped scepter was stolen.<ref>[http://spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/columbia?a=d&d=cs19841107-01.2.15 Alma Mater robbed of scepter], Columbia Spectator, 7 November 1984</ref> Weeks later it was left with an anonymous note at the doorstep of David Drinkwater, [[Cornell]]'s dean of students.<ref>[http://spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/columbia?a=d&d=cs19850121-01.2.3 Scepter recovered], Columbia Spectator, 21 January 1985</ref> It's unclear whether this heinous crime was perpetuated by Cornell students, or someone trying to frame Cornell. Nevertheless, shortly after the scepter's return, the statue of Ezra Cornell found itself doused in light blue paint. <ref>[http://spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/columbia?a=d&d=cs19850515-01.2.45 Scepter returned; Alma sleeps better], Columbia Spectator, 15 May 1985</ref>
  
−
Rumor has it that back-up Alma Mater's are kept at the ready should need arise. During the 60's and 70's, it seemed likely. One alum recalls hearing an explosion while in class in 1970, and finding Alma Mater skewed off her base later that day, though not fallen.  Rumor has it that this was the work of the [[Weathermen]].
+
== School Song ==
 +
In the United States, an "Alma mater" is also the [[school song]]. Columbia University's is "[[School Songs|Stand, Columbia]]", and the [[Columbia College|College]]'s is "[[School Songs|Sans Souci]]".
  
−
An owl is hidden in the folds of Alma Mater's robes. According to legend, the first student of each College class to find the owl would graduate Valedictorian and marry a Barnard woman (back when Columbia College was still all-male.)
+
== External links ==
 +
* [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/03/01/alma_mater.html Nearing Her 100th Birthday, Alma Mater Receives a Much Needed Makeover (January 2003)]
 +
* [http://www.columbiauniversitycampus.com/#/sculptures/Sculptures-2560 Columbia University Campus Photographs]
  
−
==Further Reading==
+
== References ==
−
[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/03/01/alma_mater.html Nearing Her 100th Birthday, Alma Mater Receives a Much Needed Makeover (January 2003)]
+
<references/>
  
−
[[Category:Campus landmarks]]
+
[[Category:Sculptures]]
 
[[Category:Symbols]]
 
[[Category:Symbols]]
 +
[[Category:Landmarks]]
 +
[[Category:Morningside Heights campus]]

Latest revision as of 21:44, 9 May 2024

See also Wikipedia's article about "Alma_Mater_(New_York_sculpture)".
Alma Mater
Alma Mater at the University of Havana. Credit: Vaughn Scriven Photography
The design stamped on the back of Alma Mater's chair

Alma Mater is literally the mother soul of the college/university. In the context of Columbia, Alma Mater almost always means the Daniel Chester French sculpture that graces the steps to Low Library.

It was a gift of Mrs. Robert Goelet and Robert Goelet Jr. in memory of Robert Goelet, Columbia College Class of 1860, and presented in 1903.

Alma Mater was originally intended to be gilded, but never was. The bronze eventually oxidized and the statue was instead coated and sealed.

Rumor has it that back-up Alma Maters are kept at the ready should need arise, such as if it is bombed again (see below).

An owl is hidden in the folds of Alma Mater's robes. According to legend, the first student of each College class to find the owl would graduate Valedictorian and marry a Barnard woman (back when Columbia College was still all-male.)

On the back of Alma Mater's chair you'll find the Columbia Crown and Columbia Seal lightly embossed in the metal.

Columbia's Alma Mater has a sister at the University of Havana. The Cuban Alma Mater was created in 1919 by Mario Korbel and inspired by Columbia's Alma Mater, while Korbel was residing in New York City. More recently, it served as somewhat uncanny validation for Bill O'Reilly's claim that Columbia is the "University of Havana North".

Vandalism

Alma Mater was bombed in the spring of 1970. The New York Times of May 15, 1970 reports that "a bomb partially damaged the statue of Alma Mater at Columbia University" and "tore a hole in the side of the statue."[1]

In fall of 1984, Alma Mater's crown-topped scepter was stolen.[2] Weeks later it was left with an anonymous note at the doorstep of David Drinkwater, Cornell's dean of students.[3] It's unclear whether this heinous crime was perpetuated by Cornell students, or someone trying to frame Cornell. Nevertheless, shortly after the scepter's return, the statue of Ezra Cornell found itself doused in light blue paint. [4]

School Song

In the United States, an "Alma mater" is also the school song. Columbia University's is "Stand, Columbia", and the College's is "Sans Souci".

External links

References

  1. ↑ JACKSON POLICE FIRE ON STUDENTS, New York Times, 15 May 1970.
  2. ↑ Alma Mater robbed of scepter, Columbia Spectator, 7 November 1984
  3. ↑ Scepter recovered, Columbia Spectator, 21 January 1985
  4. ↑ Scepter returned; Alma sleeps better, Columbia Spectator, 15 May 1985
Retrieved from "https://www.wikicu.com/index.php?title=Alma_Mater&oldid=57615"