Difference between revisions of "Alma Mater"
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[[Image:AlmaMater.jpg|thumb|180px|Alma Mater]] | [[Image:AlmaMater.jpg|thumb|180px|Alma Mater]] | ||
| − | '''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|the steps]] to [[Low Library]]. | + | '''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]]. | 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]]. | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
| − | Rumor has it that back-up Alma | + | Rumor has it that back-up Alma Maters 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]]. |
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.) | 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.) | ||
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On the back of Alma Mater's chair you'll find the [[Columbia Crown]] and [[Columbia Seal]] lightly embossed in the metal. | 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. | + | 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". |
[[Image:CubanAlma.jpg|thumb|180px|Alma Mater at the University of Havana. Credit: Vaughn Scriven Photography]] | [[Image:CubanAlma.jpg|thumb|180px|Alma Mater at the University of Havana. Credit: Vaughn Scriven Photography]] | ||
Revision as of 16:08, 27 April 2008
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 guilt in gold, 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. 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.
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".
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".
