HISTORY & TRADITIONS
A Legacy of Excellence
Commencement at the UA has seen major changes over its many decades, although certain traditions remain. Today's graduates carry with them the legacy of Wildcats past, keeping the Bear Down spirit alive.
IN STRUGGLE, REWARD
The first Commencement ceremony was held in 1895 on the second floor of Old Main decorated in the University's first set of official colors: silver and sage. The first class consisted of three graduates: Charles Oma Rouse, Mercedes Anna Shibell and Mary Flint Walker.
Members of the Commencement 1983 platform party convened at the UA Library. Today, the academic procession is composed of the officers of administration, members of the Arizona Board of Regents, deans of colleges, faculty members, doctoral candidates, honorary degree recipients, other award recipients and candidates for graduate degrees.
At the moment the degree is conferred, the new bachelor's degree recipients are to move their tassels from right to left to signify their changed academic status.
“Bear Down.” You hear it every day around the University of Arizona. It’s a rallying cry for students and alumni around the country. While it embodies the pride that every UA student feels towards his or her alma mater, Bear Down should not be confused merely as a school motto. Bear Down is a way of life for every University of Arizona student.
Past and present.
BEAR DOWN RALLY
In 1926, John Byrd “Button” Salmon was the UA student body president, the varsity football quarterback, a baseball catcher, a member of several of the University’s honoraries. In the fall of that year, Salmon and some friends were driving home to Tucson from Phoenix, when a car accident left the 22-year-old critically injured.
McKale shared the message to his team before a game after Salmon passed away. UA won their game.
The coach at the time, J.F. “Pop” McKale, visited Salmon in the hospital when he told his coach, “Tell them… tell the team to bear down.”
"...tell them...tell the team to “Bear Down...”
- John Byrd “Button” Salmon
Years later, band director candidate Jack K. Lee began his airplane descent into Tucson for his interview when he saw the phrase painted on the gymnasium roof. This prompted him to write the words to “Bear Down, Arizona,” the University’s unofficial fight song. Lee served as the school’s band director for over thirty years.
Bear Down, Arizona Bear
Down, red and Blue
Bear Down, Arizona
Hit 'em hard, let 'em know who's who;
Bear Down, Arizona
Bear Down, Red and Blue
Go, go, Wildcats, go;
Arizona, Bear Down
Commencement — from the ancient practice of beginning life’s work at the end of an apprenticeship — has roots eight centuries in the European past. The robes and caps worn by the faculty and graduating students at the University of Arizona follow the style of Oxford University, England.
CEREMONIAL MACE
The mace is a symbol of the legal and chartered authority of the President. It reflects the unique character, mission, and values of the University. Carrying the mace is a great honor reserved for our distinguished Chair of the Faculty.
The mace features a crown of sterling silver surrounding the seal of the University, which is accented with precious metals. Underlying the crown are 24 acrylic strips in the school colors of red and blue, which add a jewel-like sparkle. The main shaft is made of local mesquite with a sterling silver band inscribed with “The University of Arizona,” accented with precious metals. The tailpiece repeats the motif of the crown and surrounds a medallion with an image of a wildcat, the school mascot.
SEAL & MEDALLION
The first university seal was adopted by the Arizona Board of Regents in 1895. Twenty years later, the seal was updated and is the seal we know and use today. The seal can only be used with permission from the president’s office.
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The President’s medallion is worn as part of the President’s regalia on all formal ceremonial occasions. It depicts the official University of Arizona Seal, a trademark of the Office of the President. The medallion has been a long-standing tradition passed along to each president at the time of their installation.
