College of Wooster

The Delmar Archway, or “the Arch” as it is more commonly known, was constructed during the 1961–62 renovation of Kauke Hall. Kauke Hall is the most recognizable building on campus, and the Arch is the reason why. Students are introduced to the Arch when they first arrive on campus. First-year students gather in front of the Arch for their class picture as soon as they arrive on campus, and then they are led by the Scot Pipers through the Arch into McGaw Chapel where they are welcomed by President Hales. Graduating seniors march through the Arch before being seated in the Oak Grove for the start of Commencement ceremonies. When they return for their class reunions, they will march through the Arch again as part of the Parade of Classes.

Bricks have become a symbol for the College of Wooster with brick pathways intersecting the different parts of campus. For years, the brick paths were made with bricks manufactured at the Wooster Brick yards in town. These bricks were marked with the words “Wooster, Ohio.” Since bricks are no longer made at the Wooster Brick yards, these particular bricks have become scarcer as time has gone on, and in turn, are now collector's items to many Wooster loyalists. Students used to steal them from the pathways, but deterred by the lowering number of bricks available, many now sneak out to the dump to get their very own Wooster brick. And the story is, if you steal one before your senior year, you won't graduate!

The Scot Band uniforms are one of the most recognized symbols of the College of Wooster. The idea of using a Scottish-style uniform came in the late 1930s while trying to develop a new band uniform. Through a generous donation by alumnus Birt Babcock, the school purchased the first shipment of MacLeod tartan kilts. The MacLeod tartan had no special significance at the time, other than that the tartan matched school colors. However, those first kilts did not make it from Scotland. In 1939, that fateful first shipment of kilts was sunk in the Atlantic by a German submarine. Another shipment did make the journey across the Atlantic, and in 1940, the kilts made their debut.

The IS March is the climax of the IS process that all seniors complete in order to graduate. Each student works with a single faculty member (or two if the student has a double major) on an IS project during most of the senior academic year. The final IS paper or project must be handed in to the Registrar by 4 p.m. the first Monday after Spring Break, which is usually at the end of March. Whether the project is handed in at the last minute or completed a month earlier, seniors who complete the IS process can participate in the IS March, which kicks off at 5 p.m. that same Monday. The March starts at the Kauke Arch and proceeds around campus. During that time, students show their excitement in a number of different ways. The March ends at Kittredge Dining Hall where dinner and an awards ceremony take place. Among the honors given are prizes for the longest and shortest IS titles.

The “Wooster Rock” was given by the class of 1874, and during the past 125 years, it has carved its place in Wooster history. In 1873, the graduating class planted a memorial tree. Unfortunately, a passing cow disapproved of the tree and made short work of it. The class of 1874 wanted something that would stand the test of time and wandering cows. Upon the suggestion of Dr. ON Stoddard, professor of natural sciences, the class of 1874 removed the rock laboriously from a site near the present Westminster Church House. The rock is the remaining link to Wooster's earlier days as it was placed just south of Old Main, which was leveled by a fire on December 11, 1901. In 1971, the 20-ton rock was sinking into the ground, so it was moved about 40 feet to its current location where it sits next to McGaw Chapel on a 15-ton base of gravel and concrete. The rock has become a notable landmark as it has been painted red, blue, and in stripes; at least one attempt was made to dynamite it. During the 50th reunion for the class of 1874, William Pocock, the class secretary, stated “[the rock] has heard so many confessions of lovers, and is in possession of so many secrets, that it now commands the respect of all.”

Since the early days of the Scot Band, which performed for the first time in 1940, there were pipers, but it was not until 1962 that there was a serious attempt to organize and train a pipe band with dancers. The band has traditionally appeared at home football games and at some away games. The sight of the Scot Pipers as they march over the hill and into the football stadium is one that alumni rank among their fondest memories of Wooster. In addition to their popular performances with the Scot Marching Band at football games, the Pipers perform at fairs, dinners, parties, and churches during the school year. On campus, their appearances are not limited to the football field. They often lead the basketball teams onto the floor, and more recently, they began escorting the graduating class into the Oak Grove at the start of Commencement ceremonies.

Each year when seniors turn their Independent Study projects in to the registrar, they receive a miniature Tootsie Roll as a prize. The Tootsie Roll custom began about 20 years ago when one of the College's registrars thought it would be a nice gesture to give students something in return for their work on the IS projects. Why Tootsie Rolls? It just so happened that the registrar got a good deal on bulk Tootsie Rolls! While it may seem like a trivial thing, more than a few Wooster alumni have had their pieces of candy bronzed for posterity.