Tuesday, May 26, 2015

The Traditions Behind the Van Wickle Gates

Since June 18, 1901, the iconic Van Wickle Gates serve as a symbol for the prestigious Brown University and its esteemed history. 
The Van Wickle Gates have a pair of center gates and a smaller gate on each side. The smaller gates remain open throughout the year, however the central gates are open only twice a year. 

The central gates are first open in the beginning of the academic year during the Convocation, when first-year students ceremoniously enter the campus and are welcomed by the Brown community. The last time the gates are open in the academic year is on the Commencement Day, when a traditional procession of graduating seniors, led by members of the Brown community and the college band and supported by family and friends, bid farewell to Brown University.  

According to a very famous superstition equated with the Van Wickle Gates, any Brown student who passes through the gates more than twice will not graduate and will be doomed with bad luck. 

Each year, the Van Wickle Gates open inward to embrace and educate a diverse student body and open outwards to release a group of great individuals to embark on successful journeys.

I am very excited to personally see the symbolic Van Wickle Gates in my Ivy League Connection journey. 
Maybe this will be me some day

1 comment:

  1. An outstanding piece of historical trivia. Thanks for stepping up to provide us with this interesting factoid. I’m sure that when you all arrive you’ll post plenty of photos of yourselves in front of these gates (hint, hint).

    Here’s a link to the recent opening of the gates:
    http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150524/NEWS/150529547

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