The Standing Bronze

As a campus icon, the Bengal Bronze tiger statue has become the center point of many traditions seen on campus. One of the biggest traditions is, "Posing with the Tiger," when students or groups gather around the tiger statue for a picture. Many times this commemorates the beginning of school and graduation, but there are more reasons than those to take a photo with the statue.

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Tiger sculpture 1989 Dedication, 1989

Archival pigment print

From RITArc-0762, RIT Archives

A. Sue Weisler

Posing with the Tiger, n.d.

Reproduction of chromogenic paper

From RITArc-0464, RIT Archives

unknown

[Four Students with the Tiger Statue], 1989

Archival pigment print

An unspoken tradition amongst RIT students is to take a picture with the Bronze Tiger Statue on the first day of freshman year and on the day of graduation. Students do this to commemorate the personal growth and development they underwent during their time spent as an RIT Tiger.

From RITArc-0762, RIT Archives

RIT Athletics

Rochester, New York, USA

Basketball 1989-90, 1989

Paper & ink

From RITArc-0074, Box 1, RIT Archives

Stevie - RIT Student Government

SG Tiger Sweater, n.d.

Knitwear

From RITArc-2017.054, RIT Archives

The Many Looks of the Statue: a-j

Decorating the tiger statue has become a fun and creative pastime for many students at RIT. They enjoy adorning the statue in various styles of clothing and even giving him some snacks. See if you can catch him bundling up this winter! The fiber arts club on campus, Hooks and Needles, is behind the crocheted sweaters made specifically for the statue. The purple sweater depicted was actually created by them for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, an annual fundraising event for cancer awareness.

Dr. Fred Smith, when asked about this new student tradition, said: “I think it’s fantastic, as long as it’s not excessive, it’s respectful, and not damaging to the statue.” We hope this new tradition continues into the future, with new and imaginative looks created by the students of RIT.