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Legends, Traditions, Folklore of Miami University of Ohio

Miami University of Ohio, in Oxford established in 1809 and just recently celebrating its bicentennial this year is a coeducational public university with approximately 14,000 undergraduates. The school, whose aesthetics model those of many older universities on the east coast, ranks among the top 30 of public universities in the nation according to 2009 U.S News & World Report college rankings. However, Miami University’s similarities with other renown, older schools on the east coast and nationwide go beyond academic rigor, prominence and semblance. Miami University comparatively hosts of number of urban legends, myths, traditions, and folklore which dramatizes the university’s rich past as one of oldest colleges established within the state of Ohio, and one of the oldest in the nation. These legends and folktales that are orally passed down from class to class range from supernatural phenomena and haunted dorms to myths and superstition formed about architectural structures that have gained societal significance due to their symbolism and emblematic meaning associated with the history, people and culture that has developed over the 200 years of the Miami University’s existence. Because Miami is such an old university, there are numerous amounts of legends that have emerged over the years as generations of undergraduate students have passed through.

Supernatural Phenomena and Haunting Folklore:

There are several stories of the supernatural phenomena and haunting that have plagued the dormitory halls of Miami University’s campuses throughout the years, again emphasizing the old school mentality that Miami holds.

Ried Hall

In the dormitory of Reid Hall, the actual murder on May 9th in 1959 of Resident Assistant , Roger Sayles is one of Miami’s University’s most well-known case of haunting. There are numerous accounts of the story that vary in detail as to whom were the assailants and cause for Sayles death, either a girlfriend and boyfriend or two men. But, when Sayles attempted to break up the fight of two residents in the coed bathroom of the dorm, one of whom was in ROTC and carrying a gun which he pulled out on the other resident, Sayles was fatally shot. It has been said that he left a bloody handprint on a nearby door. This dark runny handprint is said to still linger on the door’s façade as a reminder of the grim events of that fateful day. In addition to the handprint, it is said that when in the bathroom of Reid Hall where the murder scene took place, reflections of the young Sayles can be seen in the mirrors when it strikes midnight.

Peabody Hall

Another Miami folklore of the supernatural haunts the dim hallways of Peabody Hall. The story goes that in the nineteenth century, the Western Female Seminary Principal and adamant advocate against co-education, Helen Peabody, strictly controlled the relation the Female Seminary and its neighboring Miami University of all boys to protect the academic and moral integrity of her students. It is believed that her convictions were so strong, that she took them to the grave, and now her spirit returns from the grave to patrol the coed dormitory, constantly haunting the men who roam the halls. According to some of the former residents, the antique portrait that once hung in the foyer of Reid Hall was said to have every so often blink or glare as students walked by, almost as if she was disapprovingly watching over them mingle with the opposite gender.

Traditions, Legends, and Superstitions

The superstitions and traditions of Miami based on a few of its architectural components create recognizable stories of a culture that the entire campus can be unified by. It cannot be said whether or not these superstitions and traditions have any merit, but it can be said that the stories and legends have become as much a part of Miami University as the actual buildings and physical structures representing the very myths themselves.

Upham Arch

One of Miami University’s most renowned superstitions known by most that attend the school occurs beneath the brick archway of Upham hall at the center of campus. Legend has it that if you and your current significant other stand beneath the arch at midnight, and kiss under the lamp light that you will eventually lead to marriage. The myth that is told and “…re-told to the approximately 29,000 people who visit Miami's Office of Admission each year, according to assistant director of admission Kristine Taylor” is supported by the unusually high marriage rates of Miami students and alumni. On a national scale, three to eight percent of married couples actually attended the same college. Miami University, however, has the unique trend of 16 percent rate of students becoming Miami Mergers, which is a term derived by this statistic that refers to Miami graduates marrying one another. Former Miami President Phillip Shriver claims to not know the exact origin of the story, but approximated it’s beginning between 1949 and 1965. So although the tradition of Upham Arch cannot be historically based in fact, it has become a recognizable legend that is distinctive of the campus and Miami University collegiate culture.

Upham Archway at the center of Miami University's campus.

The Hub

The bronze-cast seal of the university constructed in 1969 at “the Hub,” or one of the many intersecting crossways of Miami’s campus holds a grave superstition that many of the students on the campus both obey and doubt. The superstition that it evokes comes from the belief by some that if one walks across or steps on the seal, they will fail their next exam. According to an April 10, 1984 issue of The Student, the campus weekly paper, the legend only applied to first-year students on their first exams, yet throughout the years the tradition progressively changed and became applied to all students and any exam. Many students today avoid the taboo of walking over the seal, conscious of its tale, while others make a point to test fate and walk carelessly over the bronze seal. Many people, including former President Shriver, believe the seal to represent the university and wish not to desecrate it. This has been rumored to be the origin of this particular light-hearted tradition on campus.

The Armillary Sundial

The Armillary Sundial, given as a gift by Delta Delta Delta sorority in 1961 to commemorate the chapter 50th year anniversary on campus holds a similar superstition of the “the Hub”. The traditional significance of the sundial facing the central quad of the university’s campus is specific to the turtles lining the bottom of the structure. It is believed by many on campus that by rubbing the heads of the turtles, one will receive an “A” on their next exam. The sundial itself “…is a precision instrument designed for its exact location of latitude 39 degrees 30 minutes 27 seconds north, longitude 84 degrees 55 minutes and five seconds west. The turtles that support the sphere are emblems of eternity, according to the October 1986 issue of the Alumnus”. This legend, just as the bronze seal myth, is embraced by some and discredited by others.

Turtles at the base of the Armillary Sundial

References

"About Miami." Miami University. 08 Apr. 2009 <http://www.miami.muohio.edu/about_miami/>.
Carey, Miriam. Backroads of Ohio Your Guide to Ohio's Most Scenic Backroad Adventures (Pictorial Discovery Guide). New York: Voyageur P, 2007.
Hacet, Danielle. "Do You Believe." The Miami Student [Oxford] 13 Apr. 2007: 1-1.
Havinghurst, Walter. The Miami Years 1809-1984. Oxford: Miami University, 1997. The Miami Years. 7 Aug. 1997. Miami University. 8 Apr. 2009 <http://www.lib.muohio.edu/my/index.html#om>.
"Lore & Legends in Ohio - Reid Hall: Miami University." The Ghosts of Ohio. 08 Apr. 2009 <http://www.ghostsofohio.org/lore/ohio_lore_9.html>.
"Miami Mysteries and Ghost Stories." Miami University Libraries. 08 Apr. 2009 <http://www.lib.muohio.edu/mysteries/>.
"Miami Traditions | Orientation." Miami University. 08 Apr. 2009 <http://community.muohio.edu/orientation/content/miami-traditions>.
"News: News Release." Miami University. 08 Apr. 2009 <http://www.miami.muohio.edu/news/article/view/10891.html>.
Tucker, Elizabeth. Campus Legends A Handbook (Greenwood Folklore Handbooks). New York: Greenwood P, 2005.
Young, Maggie. "Haunted Oxford." The Miami Student [Oxford] 29 Oct. 2004: 1-2. The Miami Student. 23 Aug. 2007. Miami university. 8 Apr. 2009