Three traditional Wes rites were accomplished this week. And for good or ill, they tell you a lot about the school and maybe give a hint as to whether this the right place for you:
- Thesis: On Tuesday the Seniors who were doing Theses turned them in. Wes, like many fine universities, requires a thesis if you want to try for “honors” and Wes is deadly serious on what they will accept, so these are 100+ page tomes on original topics with significant research that the students, working closely with a faculty advisor, slaved away on for an entire year. Its hard work and impressive.
- “Thesis Party”: At 4:00 on Tuesday, said seniors (with an audience) congregated and, as custom requires, they counted down the time to the 4 o’clock thesis deadline and then popped champagne and partied like they just won the world series (see pics on Wesleying);
- “Undies in Olin”: Once a year, for many, many years, Wes students pull the same prank on unsuspecting families touring Wes. Just before the tour comes through the Olin library, by prearrangement all students strip down to their underwear and then try to look studious and unconcerned, like this is how they always study at Olin. The annual Undies in Olin prank happened today. Also pics of this on Wesleying.