Wartburg College Archives: Traditions

Wartburg College Archives

Finding Aid

Campus Life - Traditions

Preface

The Wartburg College Archives is responsible for the collection and preservation of records that document the college’s history, development, operation, policies, people, activities, and events.

The Archives is committed to providing access to holdings. However, access to some items may be restricted by their fragile condition or by contractual agreement with the donors, and it may not be possible at all times to provide appropriate machinery for reading, viewing or accessing non-print materials. In such circumstances arrangements may have to be made for digital duplication or transfer to occur before access can be provided.

Introduction

Abstract: Records (1937-2009) of the Wartburg College and Luther College rivalry and various Wartburg traditions.

Scope and Content Note

Extent: 2 boxes.

Physical Description: All materials are paper.

Dates: 1937-2009.

Subjects: Wartburg vs. Luther rivalry, Pranks, Traditions

Related Material:

• Photograph Collection: Campus Life: Wartburg College Ceremonies & Traditions
• Photograph Collection: Students: Sports & Sports Associated
• General Historical Materials Collection: General History

Administrative Information

Restrictions: None.

Preferred Citation: [item title/description], [date]; [Traditions]; Wartburg College Archives, Waverly, Iowa.

Acquisition Information: Transfer.

Processing Information: Processing completed by LY on 1/24/2020.

Biographical Sketch/Agency History

History: Wartburg’s rivalry with Luther College first began in the 1950s. The rivalry began when Luther students stole Knight armor from the P.E. Complex. During halftime at a Wartburg vs. Luther basketball game, the Luther pep band played a song called “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue”, but changed the words to reflect the stolen armor. In retaliation, Wartburg students painted Luther’s Martin Luther statue yellow. Thus, began the decades long rivalry between the two schools and a long standing prank war. Other traditions include “knighting” at orientation. During orientation weekend, all first-year students are “knighted” by the president and other leaders.

Bibliography:

“The Rivalry” Student Alumni Council, https://d30ufu6vr9yoyg.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/lutherrivalrynews.pdf

“Wartburg Traditions.” Wartburg College, www.wartburg.edu/traditions/.

Series Description

1. Wartburg vs. Luther Rivalry

2. Traditions

Wartburg vs. Luther Rivalry:

• Records of the rivalry between Wartburg College and Luther College. Dates from 1964-2009.
• 1 box.
• Arranged chronologically by content date.

Container Listing

Traditions:

• Records of various Wartburg traditions, including the Ceremonial “Knighting” and campus antics. Dates from 1937-2006.
• 1 box.
• Unarranged.

Container Listing

Other Finding Aids

None.

See Also:

• General Historical Materials Collection: General History

• Photograph Collection: Campus Life: Wartburg College Ceremonies & Traditions

• Photograph Collection: Students: Sports & Sports Associated