page_title: Traditions of Washington & Jefferson College
section_title: "Alma Mater of Washington & Jefferson College" and other songs
hierarchical_section_title: Traditions of Washington & Jefferson College / Songs and chants / "Alma Mater of Washington & Jefferson College" and other songs
caption_attribution_description: English: Alma Mater of Washington &amp; Jefferson College. Words by L.D. Hemingway, Class of 1902.
context_page_description: The traditions of Washington & Jefferson College are a key aspect of the culture of Washington & Jefferson College. One of the oldest traditions at Washington & Jefferson College were the "Freshman Rules", a system of rules and restrictions on freshmen. Failure by freshmen to follow these rules would subject them to beatings by upperclassmen or other punishments doled out by the "Freshman Court". During the 1870s and 1880s, the students engaged in organized athletic competitions, pitting the freshman versus sophomore classes in the "Olympic Games" that involved elaborate opening ceremonies and the smoking of a Pipe of Peace." Another form of physical contest between the freshman and sophomore classes were the annual "color rush," where the teams fought over control over strips of fabric, the "pole rush," where the teams battled to raise a flag up a flagpole, and the "cane rush" where the teams fought over control over a ceremonial cane. These contests generally devolved into outright gang violence.
context_section_description: The "Alma Mater of Washington & Jefferson College", composed by L. D. Hemingway, class of 1902, was first printed in the 1902 book Songs of Washington & Jefferson College.  However, the song was not listed in any commencement program until 1908.  However, the exact date of its adoption as the official alma mater is not clear: the July 1908 edition of College Bulletin, an alumni publication, stated that the college had no recognized Alma Mater song, but expressed hope that this "defect would be remedied."  Oddly, 1908 was also the first year that the song appeared in any Commencement ceremony.  The alma mater is to be followed by a round of "Whichi Coax".  The "Washington & Jefferson College Hymn", a different song from the alma mater, was composed by Julian G. Hearne, class of 1926.  In 2006, the W&J Magazine reported on the existence of several other lost songs, including "My Term Report", "The Red and The Black", "M’Millan’s March", "Alumni Song", "The College Anthem", and "Red and Black."
caption: Sheet music for the "Alma Mater of Washington & Jefferson College"
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