Michigan State University - Red Cedar Log Yearbook (East Lansing, MI)

Page 19 text:

AIN CAME, THE SNOW FELL, THE LEAVES WITHERED IN 1949, but the traditions of Michigan State stayed on. You could assign the tug-of-war and the pep rally to a given season, but together they made a full school year of work and play. When the senior women marched en masse to the Auditorium for the annual lantern parade and pre- sentation to underclassmen, it didn ' t matter what the time of year. To the senior coed who passed the lan- tern and the girl who received it, the ceremony sym- bolized all seasons, all four years of an idyllic college career. Sports enthusiasm knew no limitations of weather. Michigan State had its share of brainchildren in the realm of athletics. Such a one was Canoe Baseball, encouraged doubtless by the convenient Red Cedar. The sport has spread to other campuses, but its Coop- erstown, its Hall of Fame remained in East Lansing. Greased pig races, and flag-pole contests were more fun than the campus had seen in many years. They demanded a certain amount of athletic prowess and most of all, unbridled enthusiasm. More sentimental was the serenade. An entire code of etiquette had grown up about this tradition. Planned weeks in advance, the singing had the ap- pearance of a casual and pleasant surprise. The coed appeared at her window, or if the hour permitted, stood at the door with Bob. Before the love song was four measures old, the dorm or sorority observed blackout regulations and became as silent as a hos- pital zone. The serenaders were careful not to inter- rupt another group. Tradition required they leave quietly in order when the job was done. During the year, the girls reciprocated and serenaded male living groups with Christmas carols. If you were walking about campus at the time, it was a wonderful and nostalgic sound. Fall, spring, summer, winter, Michigan State was a great place to get your book-larnin ' .