Class Presidents at Stepping Up Day

Item Information

Title:
Class Presidents at Stepping Up Day
Description:
This photograph shows John J. Costello officiating a Stepping Up Day Ceremony at Springfield College. The exact date is unknown. On the left are four students who are being sworn in as class presidents. They are standing on MacLean Terrace behind Alumni Hall, the ceremony’s traditional site. A student is watching from a third floor window in the background.
Creator:
Springfield College
Date:
[1967?–1988?]
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Series:
Office of Student Affairs Records
Subjects:
Springfield College
Springfield College--Buildings
Springfield College--Faculty
Alumni Hall
Springfield College--Traditions
Springfield College--Students
MacLean Terrace
Costello, John J.
Springfield (Mass.)
Podiums
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/6253
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Notes:
Stepping Up Day at Springfield College began in 1926 and replaced Decapitation Day, when freshman were finally allowed to remove their green beanies and pass over Senior Walk. Today, not only do freshman take a step up, but sophomores become upperclassmen, juniors become seniors, and seniors become alumni. Each class president turns over an object that acts as a symbol to the class president below him. The passage of the symbol from the sophomores to the freshmen has a long history. Traditionally, freshmen experienced a series of initiation challenges upon arrival to Springfield College. These activities, including Cage-Ball and Rope Pull, occurred between the freshman and sophomore classes, creating the traditional Springfield College freshman-sophomore rivalry. The passage of the Peace Pipe during Stepping up Day signifies the end of class rivalry and the pledge of future friendship. The junior class presents a Plaque to the sophomore class, which is indicative of junior class service projects such as Yearbook, Junior Prom, etc. The seniors present the juniors with the Mortar Board, representing the achieving status of the seniors and their eventual graduation. Finally, the Alumni Secretary welcomes the seniors into the Alumni Association and invites the Senior President to attach the senior class ribbon to the Alumni Key. The ceremonies end with the singing of the Alma Mater. The day typically comes towards the end of the spring semester.
Identifier:
stepping-up-day-swearing-in-class-presidents