One of the many things students love about the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is the number of traditions celebrated from year to year. The 1961-1962 University of Chattanooga Student Handbook described school traditions as “a rich core of student life” before going on to list over 10 annual events enjoyed by students of that era. Some of these, and their corresponding descriptions from this vintage handbook are below. How many of these traditions do you recognize?
![Cover of the 1961-1962 University of Chattanooga Student Handbook](https://blog.utc.edu/library/files/2022/02/1961-1962-UC-Student-Handbook-Cover001-580x984.jpg)
Homecoming
“Alumni descend on the University for the celebration…the night before the game you will attend a bonfire and pep rally and will see the presentation of the Homecoming Queen to the Student Body.”
![A picture of 1970 UTC Homecoming Queen Phyllis Marie White](https://blog.utc.edu/library/files/2022/02/Echo-1970-11-10-page-2-First-African-American-Homecoming-Queen-580x702.jpeg)
Military Ball
“The Military Ball Sponsored by the ROTC Department is one of the most colorful dances of the year and is climaxed by the crowning of the military queen. The ROTC Department usually invites faculty and students to attend.”
![Photograph of Military Ball leaders on the campus quadrangle with Patten Chapel in the background.](https://blog.utc.edu/library/files/2022/02/Echo-1941-03-14-page-1-Military-Ball-leaders-580x318.jpeg)
Mortar Board All-Sing
“A singing competition between fraternities, sororities, independents, and individual acts. Most of the groups practice for weeks, and the quality of their choral singing is excellent. Even the faculty gets into the act with a skit or choral number.”
![Photograph of University of Chattanooga faculty members performing a choral piece.](https://blog.utc.edu/library/files/2022/02/Echo-1957-05-07-page-3-Mortar-Board-All-Sing-580x464.jpeg)
Sigma Chi Derby
“The Sigma Chi Derby is a competitive event between sororities. This comes in the late spring and is an event full of fun for participants and viewers.”
![Black-and-white photograph of Sigma Chi Derby participants sitting and standing on Oak Street.](https://blog.utc.edu/library/files/2022/02/Moccasin-1976-page-3-Sigma-Chi-Derby-580x358.jpeg)
Honors Day
“If you’ve achieved excellence in any area, this is the day on which you will be recognized. Awards are made, honors announced, and new members tapped into organizations.”
![Black-and-white photograph of student Carolyn Delores Higgins approaching podium to accept award.](https://blog.utc.edu/library/files/2022/02/Echo-1979-04-06-page-1-Black-Student-Association-Honors-Day-Award-580x499.jpeg)
Class Night
“Class night comes during graduation weekend. This is the night seniors make their parting bequests to students, faculty, and University.”
![A newspaper clipping describing the University of Chattanooga Class Night itinerary for 1948.](https://blog.utc.edu/library/files/2022/02/Echo-1948-05-31-page-1-Class-Night-summary-580x1373.jpeg)