Traditions
Traditions Strengthen the University Spirit
Carried on by word of mouth to the next class or generation, traditions may come and go, but they all connect us all to our alma mater.
Alma Mater, Fight Song, School Colors, Lobo Nickname, Lobo Mascot, University Seal, University Logo
The UNM Alma Mater
New Mexico, New Mexico
We sing to honor thee.
This golden haze of college days
Will live in memory.
This praise we sing will ever ring
With truth and loyalty.
New Mexico, your fame we know
Will last eternally.
By Craig Summers
Adopted in 1947
The UNM Fight Song
The UNM fight Song was written in 1930. The music to the Fight Song was written by Dean Lena Clauve, who served the University for 32 years as a professor of music education and as the Dean of Women. Dr. George St. Clair, professor in the English Department, wrote the lyrics.
Hail to thee, New Mexico,
Thy loyal sons are we.
Marching down the field we go, fighting for thee.
RAH! RAH! RAH!
Now we pledge our faith to thee, never shall we fail.
Fighting ever, yielding never.
HAIL! HAIL! HAIL!
School Colors
In the 1890s the school colors were black and gold. A faculty member suggested a change because the did not give a true feeling of New Mexico.
In 1897, the cherry and silver colors were officially adopted, reflecting the evening glow of the Sandia Mountains and the appearance of the Rio Grande as a silver ribbon winding through the valley.
From 1973-79, turquoise was integrated into the official school colors, at least for the athletic teams.
In 1980, cherry and silver returned as the predominant colors.
The Lobo Nickname
When the university began playing football in 1892, the team was simply referred to as "The University Boys" or "Varsities" to distinguish themselves from the prep school kids. The student body felt the need for a team mascot.
In 1920, the editor of the UNM Weekly suggested the lobo, the Spanish word for wolf, as the UNM nickname. The student council enthusiastically agreed. The October 1 issue of the student paper read, "The Lobo is respected for his cunning, feared for his prowess, and is the leader of the pack. It is the ideal name for the Varsity boys who go forth to battle for the glory of the school. All together now: fifteen rahs for the Lobos."
The Lobo Mascot
In 1921, a wolf pup was captured in the Mount Taylor area and given to the University as a mascot. The cheerleaders were responsible for the wolf at every football game. However, at a game, a child teased the wolf and was bitten, and UNM officials were forced to dispose of the wolf.
In the early 1960s the student body wanted a mascot at the football games. A young woman created a papier-maché Lobo head that was worn at the games, promoting school spirit. After several attempts at constructing a Lobo head comfortable enough to wear, a costumed mascot was created in the early 1970s and given the name "Lobo Louie." Then, in the early 1980s, a second mascot, named "Lobo Lucy," was created.
The University Seal
UNM President Edward Dundas MacQueen Gray designed the seal, which was adopted around 1912. It includes elements symbolizing the United States, France, the provinces and conquistadores of Spain, the Aztec Indians, and the American frontier. In 1914, the seal's Latin motto, Lux Hominum Vita, meaning "Light is the life of man," was added.
The University Logo
Begun as a graphic for the UNM Centennial celebration in 1989, the logo was afterwards adopted as the new image for the university (to be used on official letterhead). Derived from the southwestern architecture of the university campus, it is a drawing of the Mesa Vista Hall tower.
