WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College students gathered at the mound Aug. 20 to leave their mark on campus, continuing a 99-year tradition just one year ahead of its centennial celebration.
Held in front of Mossman and Beech Hall, the annual ceremony brings students together to mark the beginning of the academic year. Next fall, the college will celebrate the ceremony’s 100th year. Students and alumni wrote their names or organizations on painted or customized rocks and placed them in the mound, adding their mark to the college’s history.
The ceremony began with Student Government President Abigail Eckert, a sophomore, welcoming attendees and introducing the speakers.
Southwestern College President, Dr. Elizabeth Frombgen, then spoke before Professor Allyson Moon said her words on the ceremony and tradition. Moon has been speaking at the ceremony for at least five years, making it a tradition for Moon as well.
“I am just deeply honored,” Moon said on delivering excerpts of Dean Leroy Allen’s original speech. “The fact that he imagined having a ceremony that developed into a tradition absolutely unique to this school, and the way that every student and staff actually invest themselves into the event is almost magical.”
Prior to how the ceremony is done now, students would begin inside what is now the Richardson Performing Arts Center and listen to speeches before making their way down to the mound.
“The way it’s done now just builds such a momentum towards when individuals get to actually put their rock into the mound,” Moon added. “That kind of excitement and investment in bringing everyone symbolically together is what Dean Allen hoped for.”
In a 1943 Collegian article, Dean Leroy Allen wrote, “As we build into the mound of loyalty, the rocks bearing our names or initials, so by building our hearts and lives into the institution, we can gradually make Southwestern, not the largest, but the finest college in the land.”
The ceremony is a part of the college’s storied history. The college was founded in 1885 by the board of trustees of the Southwest Kansas Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1901, the 77 steps were built. In 1912, the story of the “Jinx” was born. In 1924, Stewart Fieldhouse was completed, and in 1927, the first Moundbuilding ceremony took place. New Director of Campus Life, Dreshaun Flowers, graduated from Southwestern last year after spending six years at the college. Flowers experienced both sides of the ceremony as a student and as an alumnus.
He was in charge of organizing the event and ensuring a smooth ceremony.
“It’s pressuring for sure, just because it’s such a prestigious event that you want to make sure everything goes well,” Flowers said. “It just shows you like something that small can turn into something huge. It helps to see that little things can add up to bigger pictures,” Flowers added.
The tradition of building the Mound has continued in its ability to bring together the students and community of Southwestern College.
Next year marks the 100th annual Moundbuilding Ceremony, a historic landmark for the college. A tradition that brings together with energy, excitement, love, and commitment felt at every Ceremony.
“It’s quite amazing that there is a tradition that will be 100 years old next year that actually unites hundreds of individuals together in one place,” Moon said.
Flowers added the anticipation for next year’s 100th ceremony is large. Flowers expects alumni, food trucks, and more for next year.
“It’s a big stepping stone for the college to have this event for 100 years, and it’s just about ensuring that we bring the excitement.”
