Pumphandle 2008

Life is buzzing on campus. And, for one day, more than most, Knox students, faculty and staff lend a hand to an old tradition at Knox, Pumphandle.

There are people who will tell you that campus traditions say a lot about a school. Fight songs, mascots, and landmarks, they explain, are keys to its personality.

Sophomore Katie Pelayo, from Wooddale, Illinois says that Pumphandle is a great opportunity to see her friends. “It is also a great showcase for all the diversity at Knox. And, we can scope out the freshmen. It is a lot of fun.”

At the beginning of the academic year, students, faculty and staff participate in this welcome ceremony.  First-year suitemates Brynn Ogilvie, Anne Heberle and Brittany Prague were eager about the experience. “It was fun meeting everyone and saying hi to everyone. It was nice to get a few hugs too,” Ogilvie says. “The costumes were really funny, “ Heberle adds.

Prague reiterated Pelayo’s earlier perception adding, “Some of the name tags had some real different names. And when you asked how to pronounce them, they sounded really pretty. Some name tags showed a real effort to be amusing. I know we won’t remember everyone, but it was nice to have the chance to meet every person.”

Once everyone has coursed through the line, they have literally met everyone on the campus before the first day of classes. Then they stampede to the picnic that follows on the Gizmo patio.

Pumphandle, as with all of Knox College traditions, reflects the history of the school and its meandering line frames the New Year.

Pair of presidents present at Pumphandle: Knox College President Roger Taylor, below left; former President Abraham Lincoln, aka student Pier Debes, below right.

On the south lawn of Old Main, students, below left, and Dean of the College Lawrence Breitborde, below right, greet students, faculty and faculty kids.

Pumphandlers snake past Old Main, below left, eventually through the building, below right.

More than just a catchphrase, "I Am Knox" is the marker message on Will Gallmeyer's T-shirt, below left; more than going through Old Main, the greeting line went up to the second floor, below right.

Only the shadow knows that it was a Fencing Club member who came to Pumphandle in full gear, except for weaponry -- her "foil" was made from a purple balloon, left; Pumphandle wraps with a picnic, below.