Sewanee College

[KiltedDawg]

The University of the South was modeled after traditional British universities. Many facets of the school, including the architecture and the wearing of academic gowns to class stem from Oxford, Cambridge, and the like. Sewanee has a lively greek system, but also numerous societies and clubs, much like the British counterparts. The Highlanders and Wellingtons are long established (several decades) "social" (drinking) clubs. Memberhip is offered to around 30 members of the Jr/Sr class and is by invitation only. For the Highlanders, the Grand Laird and Vice Laird serve as the leaders of the HIghlanders and organize most outings. Typically, parties are held before major events on campus and then a processional (with piper) is made to/into the event. It is/was a great deal of fun.

Most of the kilts were made out of various tartan fabrics by dorm matrons on campus and passed down to newer members as people graduated. Some of us did have real kilts, as I brought mine from my time at St. Andrews. I would imagine that more members have better kilts today and internet merchants and many xmarks sponsors make getting a real kilt much easier and more affordable.

Being a Highlander was a great deal of fun and helped make Sewanee the truely special place it is. Traditions are hard to keep and Sewanee has many which are truely unique.

My guess why people can't find too much about these clubs on the Sewanee website is that the Universty does not want to play up the dring club persona to folks. It's like the "Party Weekends" held three times a year there. They happen, the're great, but the don't want too much attention brought to them.

Hope this helps.....