Alumni Centenntial Notes As we look back on our Alumni Association's 100-year history, we enjoy reminiscing over the many stories through the years that show the spirit and character of Montana State. We'd like to share a few of those stories with you and we'd love to hear from you. If you have a tale to tell about the Fun and Follies of your days at Montana State, send an e-mail note to alumni@montana.edu or drop a line to MSU Alumni Association, 1501 S 11th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59717. The "Hello Walk" A spirit of friendliness and camaraderie has long thrived on the campus. The "hello" tradition began in October 1921 when the entire campus was declared "Hello" territory. Later the winding walk from the Quadrangle to Main Hall became the "Hello Walk" and later was limited to the approach to the Student Union. Students painted HELLO in many languages and the "Hello Walk" was a place for students, faculty and staff alike to be greeted with a smile. Today, the Centennial Mall is the center of campus and a place where the people of campus gather. The Alumni Association is working with student groups today, to reinstall the tradition of the hello walk, without the painting. Women's Day In May of 1923, the campus of Montana State College witnessed its first Women's Day. Under the direction of Una B. Herrick, the first Dean of Women and the namesake for Herrick Hall, this unique Women's Day Ceremony was established and maintained as an annual tradition. During those early programs, physical education and physical fitness were emphasized, with awards going to outstanding female college athletes. At that time the senior wand dance was incorporated into Women's Day as the "Blue &Gold Processional," and was performed by the "Cap & Gown Society". The original Women's Day has witnessed many changes. The emphasis on physical fitness and athletic achievements declined and the program evolved into the only campus-wide event recognizing students for their achievements in leadership, service and scholarship. In 1977, awards recognizing men were included for the first time with major awards for men added in 1982. The name was changed in 1983 to Montana State University Day of Student Recognition. The Frog Pond The freshmen had always been the brunt of many Montana State "traditions." Green caps appeared early in the school's history — men were required to wear green beanies and women green tams. Freshmen gathered firewood for the rally bonfire. They could not enter the front door of Main Hall, walk on the lawn, sit on upper class benches, wear high school emblems or don mustaches. Violators were required to appear before Septemviri who could order punishments ranging from haircuts to late night dunkings in the muck of the frog pond. The upperclassmen also challenged the freshmen to a game of tug-of-war through the muck and mire of the frog pond. By 1926, Dean Hamilton felt the use of the frog pond had gotten out of hand and he ordered the pond to be filled. The site of the Frog Pond was where North Hedges is today. The MSU duck pond graces our campus today, but it is not the center of college pranks. Excerpts from the Montanan Yearbooks, The Burlingame 75 year MSU History and In the People's Interest - 100 year MSU history.