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If you walk under the Arch while you are a freshman, legend
has it that you will never graduate. History points to a UGA
alumnus, Daniel Huntley Redfearn (Class of 1910), as the originator
of the legend.
When Redfearn arrived in Athens from his home state of Florida,
he only had with him a trunk, a suitcase, less than $200 in
his wallet, and a fierce determination to graduate. As he
approached the gateway to the campus on Broad Street, he vowed
to himself he would not walk under the wrought-iron Arch until
he had a diploma in hand.
Redfearn kept his word even when a freshman hazing ritual
called for him to run with his classmates under the Arch in
his underwear before the Georgia Tech football game (Redfearn
ran with his classmates, but ran around the Arch).
One of Redfearn’s professors learned of Redfearn’s
promise and announced it to his classes, starting the tradition--which
became limited to freshmen--that holds to this day. Redfearn
never forgot the inspiration he found in the Arch and provided
in his will that $1,000, the original cost of the Arch, be
used for its maintenance and care.
In 1858 UGA commissioned Athens Foundry to build a new wrought-
iron gate and fence to replace the battered wood fence that
surrounded the campus. The money for the project was raised
by selling UGA’s original botanical gardens, located
west of the campus.
The Arch was patterned after the one on Georgia’s
Great Seal. The Arch itself represents the state constitution,
and the three columns supporting it represent wisdom, justice,
and moderation.
Originally, the Arch held heavy gates that were closed to
secure the campus, but they disappeared sometime around 1885.
In 1946, two electric lights were added to the top of the
Arch, and it was moved about six feet away from the street.
Now it is incorporated into the official UGA logo and its
image can be found on just about anything from T-shirts to
UGA staff business cards.
(reprinted from Athens Magazine) |
