At the conclusion of her welcome to Colgate University's Class of 2006 at the annual convocation ceremony this year, President Rebecca Chopp taught first-year students a new word: triskaidekaphobia. With the approach of another Friday the 13th, her lesson takes on added meaning.
"Now in closing I want to ask you to do one thing for me. Pronounce the following word: Triskaidekaphobia. On Colgate's campus, it is forbidden. You know what triskaidekaphobia is? Fear of 13.
For Colgaters, 13 is lucky. As many of you heard when you took a tour of Colgate for the first time, Colgate was founded by 13 men who had 13 dollars and 13 prayers. We love 13. Our university is located at 13 Oak Drive. Did you know that Colgate's zip code 13346 is special? If you take the first two numbers you have 13, and then if you add up the remaining three numbers, you have a sum of 13.
Why do we ban triskaidekaphobia at Colgate? Because we are dedicated to not being superstitious, not being conformist, not staying comfortable in our little boxes, not putting persons in stereotypes, not finding things boring.
Wear 13 proudly. Live it out: risk learning new things, engaging with new persons, climbing new hills. Don't be a triskaidekaphobe or a person with a morbid fear of doing anything different, of learning new things, of getting to know persons different than yourself. Live 13 proudly like all Colgaters do.
Celebrate Friday the 13th as a day to learn something different! We are proud of banning triskaidekaphobia from our campus, our communities, our practices, our hearts and our words! Welcome times 13. One more time, say it with me: Triskaidekaphobia. It is forbidden!"
Founded in 1819, Colgate University is a highly selective, residential, liberal arts college enrolling nearly 2,750 undergraduates. Situated on a rolling 515-acre campus in central New York State, Colgate University attracts motivated students with diverse backgrounds, interests and talents.
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