SaRB to host Tradition Keeper tour Friday might
To be a University of Idaho Vandal is to go forward and innovate while standing on 125 years of tradition, said Ayla Neumeyer, UI junior and Student Alumni Relations Board (SaRB) spokeswoman.
She said the UI Tradition Keeper program, a mapped-out tour through the historic parts of campus, is a great way for students to discover the meaning and history behind the Vandal traditions, and make some of their own.
Jackson Flynn | Argonaut
The concrete “I” bench located outside the Administration building, was a common location to meet when sports games and only seniors were allowed to sit on it.
“It’s incredibly important that we know how we got to where we are and what the significant steps were along the way,” she said. “This is a really great opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and others to learn about different traditions and why they are important the University of Idaho’s history.”
SaRB will host Monuments by Moonlight Tradition Keeper tour Friday. Participants meet 6 p.m. at the Alumni Office for a journey around campus. The event is free and open to all UI students, faculty and staff. Participants are advised to prepare for the cold temperatures and dress warmly — and hot chocolate will be provided.
The Tradition Keeper book, which is available at the VandalStore, is a tour and bucket list for Vandals. Goals include completing activities like Homecoming events to getting a photograph with a skirted sousaphone player in the marching band, among others. Each objective includes the history and significance behind it, so those who read the book can have an all-inclusive story of UI, Neumeyer said.
“The event itself will consist of a tour of different landmarks throughout campus that are significant and covered in the Tradition Keeper Book,” she said.
SaRB Tradition Keeper Chairman Trevor Kauer hopes many students participate.
“I think it’s important for us to continue these traditions because we are the essence of our institution and the traditions embody the spirit of UI,” he said.
Participants will take a tour of UI and learn about the facts and purpose of many monuments on campus.
“For example, as we walk along Hello Walk I get to take the opportunity to show the participants and tell them about the rich history of past presidents and the cracked concrete walkway,” Kauer said.
Jackson Flynn | Argonaut
The Tradition Keeper Tour will be Friday and will cover some of the UI’s history and traditions.
There are also incentives to complete Vandal traditions. Kauer said he is excited to reward people for taking part in activity that he cherishes himself.
“The really great thing about this tour and the timing of this tour is that students and alumni who complete 15 traditions receive a free Tradition Keeper pin,” he said. “Those who complete 35 traditions receive a free Tradition Keeper medallion to wear during commencement of their graduation year. We are directly marketing our tour to the senior(s) graduating this December, as it is the last opportunity for them as students to complete the traditions.”
Neumeyer said she is excited to both participate and help facilitate the event. She said her fellow SaRB colleagues feel strongly about upholding traditions and hopes the event encourages others to feel the same.
“As members of the Student Alumni Relations Board, we are heavily vested in the university’s traditions,” Neumeyer said.
Shannon Kelly can be reached at [email protected]