the
franklin Friday, Oct. 11 • TheFranklinNews.com
A new start >> Page 8, 9
Class reunion >> Page 6
Franklin College students take part in various traditional homecoming activities throughout the years, including the spirit stick competition (far left), the privy burn (bottom center) and pep rally (top right).
Archived photos
Homecoming rich in tradition By Ally Marlow
allyssa.marlow@franklincollege.edu
As the leaves begin to fall and the days grow shorter, Franklin College prepares for its annual homecoming. Every year, the college offers many events, such as tailgating and a free concert, to celebrate Franklin College’s traditions. However, two of the traditions stay prominent to students: the pep rally and the privy burn. Many students will attend Friday night’s pep rally to raise excitement for the weekend’s activities. Campus organizations will cheer to show their school spirit. The privy burn will take place directly following the pep rally.
“I really enjoy watching the privy burn,” sophomore Chelsea Platt said. “It is something unique to Franklin College, and something that I will remember forever.” The tradition of privy burning began at the college many years ago on the night of an important football game. Females living on campus had a curfew every night, but the male students didn’t. The men wanted to break the curfew rule, so they decided that a fire would force the college to allow the women out of their dormitory.
The men had stolen a privy from a local farm, and they set it on fire outside of the women’s dorm. The women thought there was a fire, evacuated their dorm and therefore broke the curfew rule. Ever since that night, it has been Franklin’s tradition to burn privies on the night before the biggest football game of the year: homecoming. Before the privy burning, students participate in the Spirit Stick Competition during the pep rally. Senior Liz Flath, who is also president of Delta Delta Delta, said she’s excited for this year’s
event, especially since it is her last homecoming as a senior. “I love that recruitment is before homecoming,” Flath said. “When I went through recruitment, it was before homecoming also, and it made me feel much more comfortable to go with all of my sisters.” Kayla Walker, a freshman and a new Zeta Tau Alpha member, said she can’t wait for her freshman homecoming. “To be able to experience all the fun events with my new sisters is an See “Homecoming” on Page 10