LV Life

Rock, ‘L’ give students sense of school’s history

Junior Mike Lopez and sophomores Jeff Marsala and Ryan Sones are fraternity brothers in Delta Sigma Phi. In 1958, students moved the rock from the corner of Third and C Streets to its current location in order to prepare for construction of Davenport. / photo by Karen I. Argumedo
Junior Mike Lopez and sophomores Jeff Marsala and Ryan Sones are fraternity brothers in Delta Sigma Phi. In 1958, students moved the rock from the corner of Third and C Streets to its current location in order to prepare for construction of Davenport. / photo by Karen I. Argumedo

by Heather Morales
Arts & Entertainment Editor

ULV tradition, started by energetic, spirited students who wanted to remember their college experience, is one of the aspects that make this campus unlike any other.

Yet, the traditions at the University have become something that many students do not know about now.

“Traditions are important to us, they give us a sense of history and spirit,” said Ruby Montaño-Cordova, associate dean of student life.

Students learn about the traditions at new student camp, during their first traditional experience at ULV.

Many traditions were started back in the early ‘20s and ‘30s and some were continued through the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Some of the traditions that are still around at the University are “L” Day, painting the rock, new student camp, senior retreat and Homecoming.

In 1919, the tradition of “L” Day started when students, faculty and administrators hiked up to Sunset Ridge in the local mountains, cleared away the brush to form a giant letter “L,” camped overnight and then hiked back to campus.

“Now they drive up there and the whole thing lasts about six hours,” said Mark Bagley, development director for University Relations.

“L” Day takes place during Home­coming week and has become a part of the Homecoming tradition.

In the past, there would be about 100 students who would hike up to the “L,” but now there may be about 25-30 students who participate.

“It was a day where faculty, students and administrators came together,” said Bagley.

The rock, which has become the most visible place on campus to get a message across, originally stood at the site of Davenport Dining Hall and was moved from that spot when the dining hall was built in the late ‘50s.

A group of students decided that the original rock was too small, so when it was moved they found a bigger one, which now stands in front of Founders Hall.

It has been rumored that most of the rock is buried under the ground so that rival schools cannot steal it.

Painting the rock with different messages by clubs and organizations is a recent tradition conceived during the ‘70s.

When the rock was first brought to campus, it was not painted with messages. It displayed a large “L,” and during the first week of school it was the freshmen’s job to guard it and keep the upperclassmen from painting over the “L.”

In the past, students used to burn the paint off the rock to clear it of old paint. Because of environmental reasons and a rumor that Founders Hall was almost set on fire one year, that tradition is no longer followed.

Not all of the traditions are very old. In 1989 the senior class donated the kiosk that is by the seal. While putting the kiosk in, the seal was also installed.

Not walking on the seal was a tradition that Montaño-Cordova wanted to start when it was built.

“We need to protect it. It signifies more than a piece of marble,” said Montaño-Cordova.

“Traditions are wonderful, they help establish the community,” said Dr. Loretta Rahmani, dean of student affairs.

Both Dr. Rahmani and Montaño-Cordova feel that the University community should not just have traditions from the past. They feel that students should not be afraid to start new traditions.

Heather Morales, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Heather Morales
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Karen I. Argumedo
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