Campus Lore: Myths and Superstitions
Since its founding in 1850, the University of Rochester has had a long and proud history. And during our journey to become a top private university, we’ve collected our own share of myths and superstitions.
Myth: The ghost in Rush Rhees Library
Pete Nicosia was a worker helping to construct our famous Rush Rhees Library at the University of Rochester. However, as he was hard at work on the tower, Pete slipped and fell 150 feet . . . to his death? His foreman, James Conroy arranged for his burial, but as the legend goes, several years later, some students were approached by a man in workman’s clothes asking for James and his pay for his unfinished day’s work. This tale was corroborated by two other students who were approached by the same man in the library tower shortly after. Since then, there have been sightings of Pete throughout the stacks.
It has been suggested that the librarians open the library tower to students around Halloween to give Pete’s ghost a bit of company in the places that he haunts. . . .
You can read a more detailed version of the history of Pete and the Rush Rhees Tower here.
Superstition: Don’t walk under the CLOCK TOWER!
As you walk around campus, whether that be during a Meridian-led tour or your own amblings, you will notice the clock tower in Dandelion Square (this is the area between Wilson Commons and the Goergen Athletic Center). The superstition surrounding this clock tower is that terrible, dreadful things will happen if you walk under it. If you’re a prospective student, you won’t be admitted. If you’re a student, you won’t graduate on time. If you’re a parent, you will be denied financial aid. (The last is generally thought to be the scariest outcome of walking under the clock tower.)
Some people like to tempt fate and walk under, but if you find yourself inadvertently wandering through the clock tower, all hope is not lost. There is a little-known way to avert this catastrophe. All it requires is an acorn, a statue, and good aim. The fix for bad luck from the clock tower is to throw an acorn at the statue of George Eastman and to have it land in the brim of his hat. What a corny superstition, right? Better hope you don’t walk under the clock during the wrong season!
Mystery: Why don’t we sing the second verse of The Genesee?
The Genesee is the University of Rochester’s school song. At convocation, which is during freshman and transfer student orientation, each student receives a yellow card with the words to both The Genesee and The Dandelion Yellow. Students are encouraged to keep this card with them at all times. I carry mine in my wallet in the odd chance that I run into a dean and they ask me to present my song card. If you run into me on campus, feel free to ask me to show you my card, but I won’t actually sing for you (I’m not a great singer).
Regardless of who is singing the song, the second verse is always skipped. I actually don’t know why this is. I’ve presented you with a myth and a superstition, now will you help me solve this mystery?
