Convinced you know the ins-and-outs of Georgia Tech? Guess again!
Like hundreds of others - students, professors and staff alike - I walk the grounds of Georgia Tech multiple times a week. Almost every day, I walk down North Avenue, climb the stairs leading to Tech Tower and cut through campus on my way to the CRC. I take in the beauty of the fountain at the Campanille, silently greet Einstein as he sits in contemplation next to Tech Green, wave at the drivers of the Stinger Buses and hope to catch a glimpse of the Ramblin’ Wreck as it trundles past.
After 1,5 years of trudging up and down campus, I was convinced I knew it like the back of my hand. If anyone were to ask for directions, I was sure I would be able to steer them to their destination in an instant. But, as it turns out, I was wrong!
A few weeks ago, our lovely group of international spouses participated in a Georgia Tech Scavenger hunt. Divided into 3 groups, we braved the heat and started exploring, vying for the glory of being master connoisseur of Tech!
My group of 4 started off strong: Photo with the Campanille? Check! Selfie with Einstein? On-campus construction? Check and check! Snapshots of Tech Tower, Stinger Bus and Dean Griffin statue? Check! Check!! Check!!! Soon, we were sure we had it in the bag.
Our sense of victory did not last long, however, as our scavenger hunt had a few surprises in store, which left us all scratching our heads. Did you know there’s a dog’s headstone on campus? Or that it is tradition to steal the letter T off of signs?? Don’t worry, neither did we!
As Georgia Tech has your academic education at heart, let me serve as a fellow educator: to shield you from ignorance, allow me to share some of our recently-discovered Georgia Tech secrets with you. Thank you, scavenger hunt!
Sideways the dog
Peacefully tucked away in the shadow of Tech Tower lies the headstone of Sideways the dog. After being thrown out of a car in front of the Varsity, which left her body permanently crooked (hence her name), Tech students took her in as part of Georgia Tech’s campus. She soon became a trusty companion of all Tech students and was everyone's favorite study buddy (or distraction from boring classes, take your pick). Unfortunately, Sideways died of an accidental poisoning in the summer of 1947, but she was never forgotten. Affected by her death, Tech students dedicated a small monument to her memory, which you can still visit today.
Mickey Mouse clock
Originally hung as a prank by two seniors, Lindsey Smith and Henry Claxton, in the fall of 1978, the Mickey Mouse Clock on the side of the Skiles building has stood the test of time. Even though the two owned up to the prank after they graduated, the giveaway to its origin is in its brand ‘Smaxton’ (a combination of their last names), which, if you look closely, is still visible on the clock today.
Stealing the T
Since the first theft of Tech Tower’s T in 1969 by a group of Georgia Tech students calling themselves the “Magnificent Seven”, stealing the T has been one of Georgia Tech’s most notable traditions and many a complex plan to scale Tech Tower and relieve it of the huge letter has been orchestrated throughout the campus’ history. Some attempts have even been successful, only to return the T at the halftime of the homecoming football game or to return it to the lawn of the president’s mansion for maximum effect. Though stealing the T is now absolutely forbidden, students still honor this tradition by stealing smaller T’s off of signs around campus.
Pi mile marker
Weaving though our beautiful campus, the Pi Mile Road Race (run annually in the Spring) is one of the longest continually running races in Atlanta. The first race, which was only 3 miles long, was held in 1973, but was later expanded to 3.14 miles – hence the Pi Mile (if you were hoping for pie like I was, you were gravely mistaken). Part of the race follows the Tyler Brown Pi-Mile trail, a 3.14 mile running course around well-lit areas of campus, designated with Pi mile markers.
To Hell with Georgia!
Rather than a separatist slogan, THWG has become the common rallying cry for Georgia Tech students in the rivalry between our beloved Yellow Jackets and UGA’s Bulldogs, which has been going on since the Bulldogs played (and lost!) their first football game against Georgia Tech in 1893, losing 28-6.
So we shout:
“What’s the good word? To Hell with Georgia!
How ‘bout them Dogs? Piss on them!”
And I do believe that says it all…
George P. Burdell
George P. Burdell, the legendary imaginary Tech student who is said to possess nearly every degree Georgia Tech offers, first enrolled in 1927 after a student had received 2 enrollment forms. Rather than notify Tech’s administration of the error, the student also enrolled as George P. Burdell and attended classes as both names, earning Burdell a B.S. in 1930 and later even a Master’s at Tech. Since the 1960’s, Tech students have managed to re-enroll Burdell at Georgia Tech more than a few times, thereby ensuring his continued education.
As it turns out, we weren’t the only group baffled by some of the assignments of our scavenger hunt... The other spouses, though worthy opponents, seemed to be as turned around as we were by some of the queries of the hunt!
What about you? How many of these legends and traditions did you know of? I dare to wager it was less than you thought it would be… Not to worry, though, there is still plenty of time to explore! And you don’t even need the excuse of a scavenger hunt to do it… escape from upcoming exams seems to me like as good a reason as any. Happy hunting!
