History and Traditions
AN INTRODUCTION
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Emory
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
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 did not exist until a year later).
1836
Emory was originally built 36 miles Southeast of Atlanta, in the town of Oxford.
Today, you can visit some of Emory’s most historic (as well as modern) buildings on the Oxford campus.
From Oxford with Love
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
A TOAST TO TRADITION
When people think of Atlanta, one thing that instantly comes to mind is the taste of Coca-Cola. The soft drink empire was born out of the corner pharmacy run by Dr. John Pemberton in 1886.
Not fully realizing the potential of his concoction, Pemberton sold his business to various partners, including Asa Griggs Candler who later acquired complete control.
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH EMORY?
Around 1914, the Methodist Church was looking to expand Emory. Asa Griggs Candler, a philanthropist with connections to the Methodist Church, penned what is known as the
Million Dollar Letter,
offering financial support and land to move Emory to Atlanta.
Million Dollar Letter
SOURCE: Emory Historian Blog (emoryhistorian.org)
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.
You can find all three names across campus from the Candler School of Theology, Woodruff Library (Emory’s main library), and Goizueta Business School.
SPIRIT OF PHILANTHROPY AND GIVING BACK
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.
EMORY EAGLES AND SWOOP
In 1891 after a devasting loss against the University of Georgia Baseball team (and rumors of gambling), the Board of Trustees voted to ban Emory Athletic participation. In the following years Emory established intramural sports (some of the first in the nation), but refused to allow students to compete against other schools.
In 1891 after a devastating loss against the University of Georgia Baseball team (and rumors of gambling), the Board of Trustees voted to ban Emory Athletic participation.
In the following years Emory established intramural sports (some of the first in the nation), but refused to allow students to compete against other schools.
FUN FACT:
You'll also participate in a Coca-Cola Toast as part of your Commencement celebration!
FUN FACT:
In this same spirit of gratitude, we kick off Orientation with the official Coca-Cola Toast.
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.
In 1891 after a devastating loss against the University of Georgia Baseball team (and rumors of gambling), the Board of Trustees voted to ban Emory
Athletic participation.
In the following years Emory established intramural sports (some of the first in the nation), but refused to allow students to compete against other schools.
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.
1945
In 1891 after a devastating loss against the University of Georgia Baseball team (and rumors of gambling), the Board of Trustees voted to ban Emory
Athletic participation.
In the following years Emory established intramural sports (some of the first in the nation), but refused to allow students to compete against other schools.
Fast forward to 1960, when the sports editor of the Emory Wheel (the student produced newspaper) decided to take matters into his own hands and named the Eagle as Emory’s mascot.
Eagles Named Mascot
The Emory Eagles now boast over:
19
19 VARSITY SPORTS
COMPETTING IN NCAA DIVISION III
27
and
27 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Later in 1986 when Emory joined the University Athletic Association (UAA) Swoop became the face of the Emory Eagles.
Swoop
THE SPIRIT OF EMORY
What started as a skeletal model used for studying biology, has turned into an Emory institution.
Meet Dooley
__
THE LORD OF MISRULE
Dooley has been around since 1899, and is formally named after the University’s current president
Dooley is tasked with safeguarding the Spirt of Emory, and makes appearances throughout the school year.
Dooley
To celebrate and honor Dooley, the university hosts Dooley’s Week in the Spring, during which Dooley travels to various classrooms.
Once there, and in exchange for a well-written limerick, Dooley may just cancel your class for the day.
Dooley's Week
To celebrate and honor Dooley, the university hosts Dooley’s Week in the Spring, during which Dooley travels to various classroom’s.
Once there, and in exchange for a well-written limerick, Dooley may just cancel your class for the day.
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 lives forever!"
To celebrate and honor Dooley, the university hosts Dooley’s Week in the Spring, during which Dooley travels to various classroom’s.
Once there, and in exchange for a well-written limerick, Dooley may just cancel your class for the day.
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 lives forever!"
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
Emory History and Traditions: An Introduction
By Emory College New Student Programs
