Posted by University Club at College Park on 11:24 AM
Have you ever wondered why the University of Maryland has the mascot that they do? Check out this great story below about our beloved Testudo. You can also learn about more traditions at
UofM.
Testudo
Testudo, the official mascot of the University of Maryland, is not your ordinary Diamondback terrapin. For over sixty years, he has been the symbol for this campus, overseeing us in good times and bad. It is not easy work, and Testudo has experienced firsthand the dangers involved in being a source of campus pride.
Testudo got his start back in 1932, when then football coach Dr. H. Curley Byrd recommended that the Diamondback terrapin be made the school mascot. It is also the Maryland State Reptile. The suggestion was in response to The Diamondback's (the school paper, even back then) search for a new "official" mascot. Before this search, Maryland teams were called the Old Liners. The terrapin, a turtle native to the Chesapeake Bay, seemed a great choice and a logical one coming from Byrd. His native Crisfield, Maryland, was famous for its terrapins.
While the origin of the terrapin as school mascot is well known, why the mascot was named Testudo is more mysterious. One leading contender for the name's origin is that it was derived from the scientific classification for turtle, testudines. Another theory is that the name is from testudo gigantia, a species native to the African country Seychelles and the remote island Aldabra. Finally, the derivation of the word testudo itself comes from the Latin word for a protective shelter used for Roman soldiers heads, similar to a tortoise shell.
On the suggestion of Ralph I. Williams, president of the Student Government Association, the Class of 1933 decided to give a bronze replica of the new mascot as its graduation gift. The Class raised money for the sculpture by holding its Junior Senior German (aka the Senior Prom) on campus instead of at an expensive Washington hotel. Additional funds came from the student yearbook The Reveille (renamed The Terrapin in 1935), which was managed by Harry E. Hasslinger. Once the Class of 1933 came up with the funds for the bronze terrapin, the SGA donated money for the base.
In order to make the mascot a reality, Byrd suggested contacting Edwin C. Mayo, President of Gorham Manufacturing in Providence, RI. Mayo was a former quarterback for the University and member of the Class of 1904. He agreed to produce the 300 pound bronze terrapin at cost. Sculptor Aristide Cianfrani cast the sculpture. He used a live Diamondback as a guide, brought to Rhode Island by Ralph Williams.
On May 23, 1933, Testudo was unveiled to the world. The live terrapin used as a model had a ribbon attached to it, which was in turn attached to the canvas covering the sculpture. And as the smaller terrapin struggled forward, Testudo was revealed for the first time.
At first, Testudo had his perch in front of Ritchie Coliseum. Unfortunately, this relatively open spot soon became the scene of multiple crimes against the unguarded mascot, including painting, defacing the pedestal, and kidnapping. In 1947, when Testudo was captured by Johns Hopkins students, many Maryland students rushed to Baltimore and laid siege the building where the mascot was held. Even though 200 police were called to control the riot, the "siege" quickly turned into a party.
Soon after, Testudo was again snatched from his perch. Two years later, Byrd, now president of the University, received a call from a University of Virginia fraternity telling him to please get Testudo off their lawn.
With Testudo safely recovered, he was hidden in a campus carpentry shed until 1951. It had become apparent that greater security measures were needed to protect him. George O. Weber, Director of Physical Plant at College Park, and Class President for the Class of 1933 was determined to protect the campus mascot. So Testudo was filled with 700 pounds of cement and attached to his new perch in front of Byrd Stadium with long steel rods and hooks. While this put a stop to the terrapin-napping, painting was still a problem, especially by Johns Hopkins students. During one episode, Maryland students caught some Hopkins students in the act and promptly shaved their heads.
However, Testudo was swiftly becoming much more than a symbol of Maryland's athletics. He had found his way into the hearts of the entire student body. So when McKeldin Library was constructed in the 1960's, Testudo was uprooted from his stadium pedestal and carefully carried by students to his new home overlooking McKeldin Mall.
And from this central campus perch, Testudo has continued his vigil at Maryland. In 1983, the then fifty year old Testudo was rededicated and restored to his former glory by the Class of 1933. He finally received help in his watch over campus in 1992, when a bronze twin to Testudo was created and placed outside the Football Complex locker room.
And while Testudo continues to preside over campus, myths continue to surround the 1000 pound mascot. Rubbing his nose is supposed to bring good luck (hence Testudo's unusually shiny nose). Whatever the truth may be, it seems that one thing is for sure--Testudo will continue to be a central figure at the University of Maryland for quite a long time to come.
Posted by University Club at College Park on 10:07 AM
Hiking
is a good exercise for anyone. It does not have to be intimidating
though. Check out these great resources for hiking trails near you.
You can go on a casual stroll, and it will help you get in shape at the
same time. Check out
apartment therapy for more information.
I used to be intimidated by the idea of hiking, like it had
to involve lots of equipment, great physical stamina, lean-to building
skills, and a seriously pocketed vest. But I've learned over the years
that a hike can simply be a few hours spent on foot out in the world.
The following list is an aggregate of U.S. trails, but it's only a basic
overview so please jump in with your favorite local hikes or walking
trails. Hopefully we can inspire each other to get out and explore our
local terrain this summer. No vest required.
I'll start with my
local hiking scene. I live in Chicago, so topographically speaking it's
not the most ruggedly exciting area. Yet even in the flat lands of
Illinois there are bountiful forest and river trails to explore, and even more local for Chicagoans is the Chicago Lakefront Path,
which spans miles and includes some of the best views around. Check out
the following list and add your favorites in the comments below.
Hiking Trail Resources:
- Every Trail is
a very helpful site for locating local hiking trails using their search
engine. Just plug in your location (e.g., "New Mexico hikes") and
you'll get a list of hiking trails, including duration and level of
difficulty.
- Trail Link is
a search engine for finding hiking trails in your community. They also
have a cool "Trip Planning" feature that includes lodging information if
you want to turn your day hike into an overnight adventure.
- Best Hiking Trails in the U.S. as listed by the American Forests website. I'm quite sure this is subjective, but there are some great spots included.
- 51 Great Places to Hike in the U.S. (USA Today). An extensive list highlighting notable hikes throughout the U.S.
U.S. Hiking Trails by Region
Northeast
Posted by University Club at College Park on 10:24 AM
Happy Independence Day! What is your favorite thing about the Fourth of July?
Posted by University Club at College Park on 10:22 AM
Do you have a lot of old food jars laying around? There are some
great creative uses for jars that will help you out with storage. You
can use it to store craft supplies, emergency items, or even your own
air freshener. Keep reading and check out
apartment therapy for more information.
1. Drill a hole in the top and use it to store your string. Use a jar with a fun top or simply paint your own.
2. Wrap them in twine to make simple and cheap centerpiece vases.
3. Cover jar lids with pretty scrap paper, and use them to store your odds & ends.
4. Make your own natural air freshener. Combine baking soda and your favorite essential oil in a jar, and punch some holes in the lid.
5. Make an emergency oil lamp. All you need is a jar, wick, and a natural cooking oil like olive oil.
And before you even get started, here's a tip on how to clean the smell out of food jars.
Posted by University Club at College Park on 10:13 AM
We hope everyone had a safe and happy Memorial Day with their friends and family!
Posted by University Club at College Park on 10:42 AM
Are you a fan of electronics? There are ways to get all of the high tech
toys you love without breaking the bank. Check out these six steps on
how to tighten your electronics budget without sacrificing anything!
You can find out more great tips at
Apartment Therapy.
Ditch the Expensive Cable Plan
If you're on the fence about cutting cable, read through our helpful guide to walk you through the pros and cons of ditching cable. Streaming TV is definitely here to stay, and there are great ways to find what's available and where it's playing online. If you can't live without cable TV, at least stop paying for your expensive monthly cable box rental and purchase a cheap over the air antenna. Perhaps even ask yourself if you can survive without TV at all!
Stop Buying Movies
The
writing has been on the wall for physical media for quite some time,
yet many of us just can't quite let go of our media collections. But
since many of us are leaving cable subscription, it might be time to
migrate over to streaming services and pare down your media collection (a great opportunity to sell it for a little extra cash). Highest quality
playback still requires discs at this time, and latest releases are not
always immediately available online (though this is becoming
increasingly not true), but there's always Netflix or Redbox for
occasional affordable disc rentals.
Stop Buying Music and Stream It!
Online
streaming music is everywhere. Yes, commercials are part of the
agreement when you stream free, but honestly there aren't actually that
many commercials on Pandora, Rdio, Spotify, or other alternatives.
It's not like the olden days of radio where you had to hunt around for
something to listen to, there's pretty much a streaming station or
playlist for every musical taste out there.
Take Advantage of Rebates
Government
and utility companies often offer rebates for energy efficient
appliances and devices. Before you buy, check around to see who's
offering what kind of discounts if any. For example: Pepco provides the electricity in our area and they provide up to $2,750 in rebates with the ENERGY STAR program.
Be a Smart Consumer
Most important for anyone on a budget is to eliminate/limit impulse purchases. Buy smart
and don't be swayed by every little iDevice that gets marketed as the
next best thing. In instances when you do need to purchase electronics
or appliances, consider buying last year's models. Usually year to year
changes between models are modest to moderate. This is especially true
with HDTV sets, where prices between last year's model can be hundreds
of dollars cheaper than the latest release.
Slim Down The Cell Phone Service
We're not necessarily saying you have to completely ditch the cell phone, but paying thousands of dollars
a year for a mobile device can cost a decent percentage of income
across a year. Considering moving away from a contract agreement and
moving over to a prepaid service to stop hemorrhaging money each month.
Posted by University Club at College Park on 10:29 AM
Are you graduating college in a few weeks? Congratulations! The next few
months can be scary and stressful. However, with preparation and hard
work, they can be a lot easier than everyone says. Keep reading and
check out
Diploma Frame for more information.
Graduating college is not only stressful but
can be an extremely overwhelming time in a person's life. Aside from
the fact that you have to move onto the 'real world' with a job, bills
and responsibility, you are changing everything you have known for the
past four years. We have put together some tips for college graduation
and hopefully how to make the next steps in your life a little easier.
Preparing for Graduation - As the time nears closer to commencement there are a few things you are going to need to make sure you have taken care of:
- Do You Have Enough Credits? – While this may
seem like a silly question, I know several people who thought they had
enough credits to graduate only to find out in the middle of their last
semester they were one or two credits shy. Make sure you talk to your
advisor, check out your school’s website or visit the Registrar’s office so you aren’t left watching from the back on Commencement day.
- Complete the Required Paperwork – One of the
most commonly overlooked pieces when it comes to graduation is making
sure you have all of your paperwork turned in. Most colleges require
you to submit a graduation application or an ‘Intent to graduate’ form
before your last semester. This usually includes the name you would
like on your diploma along with the address you would like it sent to.
You should also check on whether or not you are required to attend an
exit interview with the Admissions office.
- Pay Up! – One thing I learned in college is
that schools do not mess around when it comes to money issues. Whether
it is for tuition, room and board or a simple parking ticket, the school
will be sure they get their money. Make certain all of your
outstanding fees are paid along with any new ones associated with
graduation. (Schools often require a small fee for diplomas)
- Order Your Cap and Gown – This varies from
school to school. Some schools pay for each graduating senior’s cap and
gown while other’s do not. Check with the bookstore as this is usually
where they are ordered from.
- Who is coming to Commencement? – Commencement
ceremonies differ from university to university depending on size and
tradition. Larger schools tend to offer a general commencement ceremony
for all students along with individual ceremonies for each program
while smaller colleges may only have one ceremony. Seats are likely
limited and you will be given a certain number of tickets. Determine
who will be attending your graduation and how many tickets you will
need. Need more than you are allotted? Ask around. Most people don’t
use all of theirs.
- Sending Invitations – Yes, this is one of the
most tedious tasks there are but if you want people to attend your
graduation then you are going to have to invite them. Be sure to
include their tickets in the invitation. If it will require travel,
provide them with information on hotels in the area.
- Don’t Forget About Your Friends! – The last few
weeks of school are extremely hectic. Finals are wrapping up, people
are packing to go home and you are trying to enjoy the last few weeks of
college life. Before all of this craziness begins, start gathering the
contact information of those around you. Telephone numbers, email
addresses, IM names, Myspace profiles, whatever you need to stay in
touch with them.
After College - When
you leave college you are going to be starting a new life. Before you
graduate, here are some things you are going to need to think about:
- Job or Grad School? – For some
people four years of school is enough. They are ready to go out, start
working and never open another Accounting book for the rest of their
lives. For others, grad school is the only option. You can’t very well
be a doctor without attending med school now can you? How do you
decide whether grad school is for you? Obviously there is no easy
answer but there are questions you need to ask yourself. Examples:
- Where would you like your career to go? Will it require more schooling?
- Can you afford more school from a financial standpoint?
- Are you going to school because you don’t want to get a job?
If you are in fact looking to go to Graduate school, here are a few resources to help you:
- http://www.peterson.com/
- http://www.gradschools.com
- http://www.princetonreview.com/grad/
- Do I Have to Get a Job Right Away? – You just
attended college for four years, you are in debt, and everyone,
including you, is expecting you to be on your way to a promising
career. Remember that you have your whole life to work. Take some time
to travel the country, work odd jobs and do something you love.
Working in a restaurant my first year out of college was the best
decision I could have made. I met new people, enjoyed life and also
matured into someone who was actually ready to start a career.
- Moving Back Home – After a few years of
independence can you really bring yourself to move back in with Mom and
Dad? In reality, no one actually wants to move back into a place with
rules, regulations and a watchful eye but it may be the best option.
Free food, no rent, no utilities and free laundry don’t sound so bad
when you are making little to no money. Before you immediately start
apartment hunting, think about what is going to suit you best in the
long run both personally and financially.
- Health Insurance – Having health insurance my
whole life I never thought twice about it. When I went away to college
Mom gave me a card and told me to hold onto it. Only when I wasn’t
living at home anymore and didn’t have health insurance did I realize I
needed it. Take a look at some health plans to see what is best for you
and what you can afford. Even if you are starting a job, there may be a
grace period before you start receiving benefits. Here is a link to a
great student health insurance resource from the University of Washington.
- Paying Your Student Loans – Now that you have
graduated do you immediately have to start paying off the money that got
you through school? Well yes and no. The best thing to do is start
making payments as soon as you can. However, the nice thing about
student loans is that they are just that – for students. You typically
have a six month window before you have to start paying and if you are
unable to start your payments then you can defer them for up to a year.
Find out about interest rates, consolidating and the best payment plan
for you.
- Establish Credit but Not Debt– You just
graduated, you are living in a new apartment, you haven’t gotten your
first paycheck and you need furniture, groceries and new work clothes.
It is very easy to take that credit card and start charging. It is also
very easy to accumulate credit card debt just like that. Don’t spend
more than you can afford to pay off. Start small and pay it off
monthly.
Getting a Job – Unless
you are planning on winning the lottery, you are going to have to get a
job. I’m sure you will hear that the job search process isn’t ideal
and it can be frustrating. Here are some ways to make it a little
easier:
- Figure Out Where You Want to Live – Ignore the
thought of living with mom and dad for a second and think about where
you want to be. Can you go back to your hometown? Is there a city you
have always dreamed of living in? Where are the best opportunities for
your career? When you begin to look for jobs it can be much easier if
you are open to living in a number of places. If there is one place you
know you want to live, focus your job search there.
- Putting Together Your Resume – How many times
have you heard how important your resume is? Well guess what? Those
people weren’t lying to you. In the eyes of a company, your resume not
only provides the first impression but also represents you as a person.
Visit your campus career center, talk to your advisor or check out our
resume resources below (#20).
- Dealing with Rejection – You may apply for 300
jobs in 35 different cities and only hear back from ten of them. You
may think that you had the best interview of your life and as it turns
out they decided to go with someone else. There are always going to be
rejections and it will always be frustrating. Try and take it with a
grain of a salt and move on to the next opportunity. You will find what
is right for you.
- Take An Interview – One of the best ways to
become better at talking and interviewing with companies is…to talk and
interview with companies! If you are given the opportunity to come in
and interview for a job, take it. Even if you think that you may not
want the position, go in, talk to the people who work there, speak with
the HR person and practice your interviewing skills. It will give you
an idea of the questions you will be asked and also provide you with a
better idea of what you are looking for.
- A Job Isn’t a Job –You may be anxious to get a
job and start your life but keep in mind that this is your life. Don’t
take a job just because it is the first one offered to you. Find a job
that you want and will enjoy. Remember, you have to be there five days a
week.
Resources – Here are some resources to help you through the job process:
- Searching for a Job – Yes we all know about the
big job search sites, Careerbuilder.com, Monster.com and Hotjobs.com
and they are in fact very useful. There are also a number of other
sites dedicated to entry-level positions for college graduates:
- http://www.collegegrad.com
- http://www.collegerecruiter.com/
- http://www.jobweb.com/
Don’t forget to work with your college’s career center and alumni department
- Resume Writing – There are millions of sites
out there that provide you with tips on how to write a resume and what
makes a good resume. Here a couple good ones geared towards college
seniors:
- Resume Writing Tips from Boston College's Career Center
- How to Write a Resume from Capital University
- 10 Minute Resume - Resume Resource and Information
- Interviewing Tips – Interviewing can be a bit
nerve-wracking but it is much easier when you are prepared. Learn about
the business, go over common questions and be ready to answer just
about anything.
- http://www.msstate.edu/dept/Coop/interview/favq/html
- http://www.western.edu.career/interview_virtual/virtual_interview.htm
- http://content.monster.com
- Enjoy the time you have! – While you need to
make sure you are ready to move on you should also be enjoying the time
you have now. Hang out with your friends, enjoy only having to attend
three classes a day and make the most of your last few months of
college. Just make sure to keep these tips in mind when you do start
thinking about your future.
