Graduating seniors symbolically depart

A picnic immediately followed the event.

By Kyle Daly

Published May 9, 2008

Overcast skies and muddy grass could not dampen the spirits of MU’s graduating class.

Hundreds of seniors gathered at the steps of Jesse Hall on Thursday to take part in one of MU’s traditions — the Tiger Prowl.

The graduating students walked from the steps of Jesse Hall over the Francis Quadrangle grass and through the university’s iconic columns. The event, organized by the Mizzou Alumni Association, is also informally known as the “reverse Tiger Walk.”

The Tiger Walk is an event that takes each August with MU’s incoming freshman. Opposite from the Tiger Prowl, students walk through the Columns toward the steps of Jesse Hall.

“It symbolizes their entrance into the university,” MAA student board member Miranda Leppin said.

Leppin said the Tiger Prowl, which contrasts the Tiger Walk, symbolizes a student’s entrance into the world.

MAA Director Todd McCubbin said the first class to participate in Tiger Walk started Tiger Prowl.

According to MAA’s Web site, the first Tiger Walk took place in August 1995. McCubbin said the same class requested that an event be organized where they could walk back through the columns in the opposite direction.

“That’s what’s so cool about it — the students came up with it themselves,” McCubbin said.

Flashing cameras, grins of joy and MU’s own mascot, Truman the Tiger, were all part of Thursday’s event.

With humorous gestures and much enthusiasm, Truman led the students through the columns.

Due to next week’s commencement ceremonies, students were required to walk around the middle section of the quadrangle where sodden grass had been laid down.

The mixture of rain and footsteps turned much of the student’s path into mud. McCubbin said the poor conditions did not ruin the event.

“It didn’t stifle any spirit at all,” he said.

Many seniors felt compelled to show up at the event, each for their own reasons.

“I thought like I might as well cap off the last of four years,” social work major Emily Swallow said.

Others came for the free food and beverages.

“Honestly, I’m just here for the barbeque and beer,” industrial engineering major Chad Adler said.

The Senior Send-Off picnic immediately followed the Tiger Prowl. The picnic, which took place on Carnahan Quadrangle, featured live music, free food and free Budweiser beer.

Social work major Elise Davenport said she could not believe how fast her four years at MU went by.

“I felt like I was a freshman last year,” she said.