Traditions

There's a place where catching sight of a cape-wearing bulldog is an ordinary event. Where a certain rock is ambushed by one group on a regular basis, only to be vigorously defended by another. Where you can wake up to the sounds of “dayump dayadee yahoo” just outside your window.

That place is the University of Redlands. And these are just some of our traditions.

The time-honored customs we celebrate don't just set us apart from other institutions—they enrich the Redlands experience for everyone. Whether you're taking a selfie with our bulldog mascot, reciting the “Och Tamale” chant after a touchdown or singing the alma mater in the Quad, you're not just connecting to the University—you're connecting with one another.

Alma Mater

Our Alma Mater was written in 1914 to go along with the American folk song "The Little Old Red Shawl My Mother Wore," composed by Charles Moreland, and the musical-theatre tune "He Never Wanders Far from His Own Fire." It is sung at commencements, convocations, and other formal occasions.

O, that dear old U of R,
Thy children near and far
Will sing to thee and all thy glories tell;
Where the orange blossoms grow
And the waters gently flow,
That dear old U of R we love so well.

O, that dear old U of R,
Whose emblem shines afar,
Eternal as the hills we love so well;
Where the mountains tall and grand
Like an inspiration stand
That dear old U of R we love so well.

O, that dear old U of R,
The years can never mar
The memories of thee we love so well;
Where the friendships are so dear
That we leave them with a tear,
That dear old U of R we love so well.

Och Tamale Chant

Originally called the Psalm of Collegiate Thanksgiving, the Och Tamale cheer was written by cheerleader C. Merle Waterman 1920 and classmates Walter J. Richards 1921 and Jack Slutsk 1922. The Och Tamale is recited when the Bulldogs score a touchdown, at Homecoming and alumni events, and as a greeting to fellow alumni on campus, in cities across the nation and around the world.

Och Tamale Gazolly Gazump
Deyump Deyatty Yahoo
Ink Damink Deyatty Gazink
Deyump Deray Yahoo
Wing Wang Tricky Trackey
Poo Foo Joozy Woozy
Skizzle Wazzle Wang Tang
Orky Porky Dominorky
Redlands!
Rah, Rah Redlands!

Redlands "R"

Some fifteen miles away, upon the mountain side, is an “R”.  In1913 several loyal students of the University of Redlands conceived an idea and started work on the largest college emblem in the world. As the undertaking was too great for these few, the entire student body rallied to their side, while the faculty permitted the young men of the institution to absent themselves from recitations for three days and thus complete the work for clearing the brush away. ( Taken from the forward of the 1915 University of Redlands annual). 

The "R" is part of our alma mater, "…That dear old U of R, whose emblem shines afar…" and our yearbook "La Letra," meaning "the letter," is named after it.

The "R," located on a hillside of the San Bernardino Mountains, is believed to be one of the largest collegiate letters in the nation, standing 415 feet tall and 275 feet wide.

For many years, freshmen were "required" by the seniors to clear the overgrown brush around the "R." It was then lit for Homecoming with highway flares-a display, viewed from Ad Hill, that many alumni still talk about and remember fondly.

During the ‘60s and ‘70s the "R" was neglected, and the outline was barely visible. But, in 1984, more than 70 years after the first group of freshmen made their trek up the hill, freshman Greg Horn '87, spearheaded a massive effort to restore the "R" to its original glory. After 21 treks, he finished his task just before graduation.

Today, our alumni, students, employees, and friends make the annual maintenance trek as the "R" has become one of the University's greatest traditions.