History and Traditions
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
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Emory
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Emory College was founded in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia (just 36 miles southeast of Atlanta).
1836
In 1914, Asa Griggs Candler, founder of the Coca-Cola Company, penned what is known as the Million Dollar Letter, offering financial support to start a new Emory campus in Atlanta.
Million Dollar Letter
SOURCE: Emory Historian Blog (emoryhistorian.org)
The original campus in Oxford, Georgia soon became Oxford College.
Today, incoming students choose to start their Emory careers at either Oxford College or Emory College.
From Oxford with Love
Oxford Campus
Atlanta Campus
Emory College was founded in 1836 by the Methodist Episcopal Church.
However, we wouldn't be calling Atlanta home until 1915 (in fact, the city of Atlanta was yet to exist until a year later).
OXFORD, GA
While 1,500 students start their Emory journey on the Atlanta campus...
ATLANTA, GA
Emory College was founded in 1836 by the Methodist Episcopal Church.
However, we wouldn't be calling Atlanta home until 1915 (in fact, the city of Atlanta was yet to exist until a year later).
OXFORD, GA
You’ll have a chance to meet and interact with your Oxford colleagues and classmates before they join you on the Atlanta campus during your junior year.
ATLANTA, GA
...500 students start at our Oxford campus.
Emory College was founded in 1836 by the Methodist Episcopal Church.
However, we wouldn't be calling Atlanta home until 1915 (in fact, the city of Atlanta was yet to exist until a year later).
The Methodist Episcopal Church named the town surrounding the College after Oxford College in Great Britain, and Emory was born.
The Oxford campus is now home to one of Emory’s nine school’s Oxford College.
ATLANTA, GA
OXFORD, GA
Your Oxford classmates will join you on the Atlanta campus during junior year!
Here are more people who helped shape Emory's history. We can't wait for you to spot them around campus!
You can find all three names across campus from the Candler School of Theology, Woodruff Library (Emory’s main library), and Goizueta Business School.
You can find all three names across campus from the Candler School of Theology, Woodruff Library (Emory’s main library), and Goizueta Business School.
EMORY HISTORY MAKERS
We also have individuals, like you, shaping Emory's future and proudly representing our community across the world - in recent years and even today!
You can find all three names across campus from the Candler School of Theology, Woodruff Library (Emory’s main library), and Goizueta Business School.
You can find all three names across campus from the Candler School of Theology, Woodruff Library (Emory’s main library), and Goizueta Business School.
EMORY (RECENT) HISTORY MAKERS
FUN FACT:
During Orientation Week, you will participate in your first Coca-Cola Toast, a treasured Emory tradition.
Emory Traditions
EMORY EAGLES AND SWOOP
In fact, it wasn’t until 1945 before the Board of Trustees would reverse this ban after years of student advocacy.
Future CEOs and Presidents of the Coca-Cola company took note of Candler’s generosity and continued to donate and support Emory’s growth as a premier liberal arts institution. These include Robert W. Woodruff and Roberto C. Goizueta.
You can find all three names across campus from the Candler School of Theology, Woodruff Library (Emory’s main library), and Goizueta Business School.
Swoop is the face of the Emory Eagles, and has stomped our fields, courts, and pool decks for decades.
Just like Swoop, you'll have a chance to cheer on our 400+ student-athletes this year.
THE LORD OF MISRULE
Dooley, Emory's unofficial mascot, has been around since 1899. Dooley's first name changes to reflect our current president. Today, his name is: Gregory L. Dooley.
Dooley safeguards the Spirit of Emory and makes appearances throughout the school year.
Dooley
Emory hosts Dooley’s Week each spring. If you're lucky, Dooley will visit your classroom...
Once there, and in exchange for a well-written limerick, Dooley may just cancel your class for the day.
Dooley's Week
Emory hosts Dooley’s Week each spring. If you're lucky, Dooley will visit your classroom...
Once there, and in exchange for a well-written limerick, Dooley may just cancel your class for the day.
You will also hear Dooley's famous words during his appearances:
Oh, and if you haven’t heard, Dooley has also been known to make an appearance via Zoom.
"Presidents may come, presidents may go;
professors may come, professors may go;
students may come,
students may go;
but Dooley goes on forever!"In the heart of dear old Emory
Where the sun doth shine,
That is where our hearts are turning
'Round old Emory's shrine.
We will ever sing thy praises,
Sons and daughters true.
Hail we now our Alma Mater,
Hail the gold and blue!
Tho' the years around us gather,
Crowned with love and cheer,
Still the memory of old Emory
Grows to us more dear.
We will ever sing thy praises,
Sons and daughters true.
Hail we now our alma mater,
Hail the gold and blue!
Alma Mater
EVERY DAY AT NOON, YOU'LL HEAR THE EMORY ALMA MATER RING FROM THE BELL TOWER ON COX HALL.
We'll continue to share pieces of Emory History and Traditions throughout the summer, but feel free to begin exploring on your own!
THAT'S IT FOR NOW
