The Class Day Committee, charged with choosing a ceremony to replace the century-old tradition of breaking clay pipes on the Lone Pine stump, came up with a new ritual that maintains all the symbolism of the old.
This year, seniors will drink a toast to their class from clay mugs, and then break the mugs on the Lone Pine. Smashing the mugs, like the clay pipes, symbolizes the class breaking its ties with the College, while the toast allows members of the class to reflect on their years at Dartmouth.
Creating tradition is impossible. But by linking the symbolic value of the clay pipes tradition to a ceremony that does not alienate class members, the committee gave Dartmouth a ritual that has all the right ingredients to bring graduating classes together for years to come.
