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.
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
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.
All images are reproductions of digital photographs.
a. Rochester Institute of Technology
[Tiger Statue in Crocheted Orange RIT Sweater], 2020
Sourced from LinkedIn
b. unknown (@rit_afterdark)
[Tiger Statue with Crocheted Purple
Hooks & Needles Sweater], 2022
Sourced from Instagram
c. unknown
[Tiger Statue with Bananas], 2020
Sourced from aongking.com
d. Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito
[Tiger Statue in Orange Mask], 2020
Courtesy of the artist
e. unknown (u/ScarletRegal)
[Tiger Statue in Wedding Dress], 2023
Sourced from Reddit
f. Rochester Institute of Technology (@RITTigers)
[Tiger Statue with Graduation Cap and Mask], 2020
Courtesy of RIT on X (formerly Twitter)
g. unknown (u/TheRationalTurk)
[Tiger Statue in Crocheted Mask], 2019
Sourced from Reddit
h. unkown (@rit_afterdark)
[Tiger Statue in Fortnite], 2023
Sourced from Instagram
i. RIT Public Safety (@RITPublicSafety)
[Tiger Statue with Crocheted Bonnet and Bracelets], 2020
Courtesy of RIT Public Safety on X (formerly Twitter)
j. unknown (u/threesquirrel)
[Tiger Statue with Pineapple], 2022
Sourced from Reddit