Tufts University

Tufts University is a private university located in Medford, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. In 1852, Charles Tufts founded Tufts College and donated the land for the campus on Walnut Hill, the highest point in Medford. Tufts said that he wanted to set a "light on the hill." Originally affiliated with the Universalist Church, Tufts is now non-sectarian. The name changed to "Tufts University" in 1954, although the corporate name remains "the Trustees of Tufts College."

Culture

The Tufts school mascot is Jumbo the elephant, in honor of a major donation from circus owner P.T. Barnum in 1882. The stuffed remains of Barnum's Jumbo the elephant were on display in the basement of Barnum Hall, until the building burned down in 1974. Currently a plaster-statue likeness of Jumbo resides on the academic quad.

Related Topics:
Mascot - Jumbo - Elephant - Circus - P.T. Barnum - 1882 - Stuffed - Basement - 1974 - Plaster - Statue

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A Light on the Hill Award was established by the TCU Senate. It annually recognizes distinguished Tufts alumni. Recent recipients have been Nick Birnback, Bill Richardson, and Rob Burnett.

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The University College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts provides numerous Active Citizenship opportunities for Tufts Students including the presitgious "Citizenship Scholars" program started by the Omidyars.

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Every year, right before the reading period preceding winter exams, there is a Naked Quad Run. It involves several hundred variously intoxicated students getting naked and running around the quad for perhaps a half-hour. The run has been held for many years now, although the 2002 run generated some controversy and fears of its end when several students were injured and President Bacow publicly denounced it. In 2003 the administration worked to ensure the safety of the event.

Related Topics:
Intoxicated - 2002 - 2003

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Right before the reading period preceding spring exams, there is also the annual Spring Fling. This event, funded via the Student Activities Fee, is always quite expensive (in the tens of thousands of dollars) and many bands are invited to play for the student body outside, free of charge. There was much disappointment when the 2003 and 2005 shows were canceled because of rain. In 2004, The Roots, Less Than Jake, and several other bands made an appearance.

Related Topics:
The Roots - Less Than Jake

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Tufts University is also home to numerous prestigious A Capella musical groups. Tufts is also very politically active, with the political scene headed by the Tufts Democrats and Tufts Republicans who coordinate multiple internship programs and host numerous speakers on campus.

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