Lena Rivera
The Rock at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, is a large boulder that students have been painting since the 1940s. It serves as a canvas for student expression, with paintings ranging from personal messages to club promotions and from activism to philanthropy. The rock has become an iconic part of the campus, with students guarding it for 24 hours before painting it in the middle of the night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Promotion of clubs and organizations, personal messages, student art, opinions, advertising, proposals, jokes, activism, performance, philanthropy, and historical events |
| Rules | Must guard the rock for 24 hours before painting to avoid multiple groups painting it at the same time |
| Location | Between University Hall and Harris Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States |
| History | The Rock was originally a fountain donated by the Class of 1902. Students began painting it in the 1940s, first as a prank, and then as an accepted form of expression. |
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What You'll Learn
Painting rules and traditions
The 24-Hour Guarding Tradition: One of the most well-known traditions surrounding The Rock is the practice of guarding it for 24 hours before painting it. This tradition ensures that no two groups paint over each other's work and prevents confusion or conflict. Students take turns guarding The Rock, and it has become a symbol of dedication and commitment to their message or cause.
Campus Groups and Events: The Rock has traditionally been used as a billboard for campus groups and events. Student clubs and organizations often use it to promote their activities, fundraisers, and philanthropic endeavours. It serves as a central hub for information and a way to advertise various campus initiatives.
Student Expression and Art: Beyond its practical use for event promotion, The Rock is a space for student self-expression and artistic endeavours. Students paint it with opinions, advertising, messages, proposals, jokes, and artwork. It is an avenue for students to share their thoughts and connect with one another.
Personal Messages: While The Rock is primarily used for campus-related activities, there have been instances of students using it for personal messages, such as birthday wishes or marriage proposals. However, there is some debate among students about whether personal messages are discouraged or not.
Tributes and Memorials: The Rock has also been used as a space for tributes and memorials. Students have painted it to honour friends who have passed away or to commemorate significant events or people. It serves as a way to remember and celebrate those who have left their mark on the Northwestern community.
Photography and Documentation: The ever-changing nature of The Rock has inspired photographers and artists alike. Local photographer Brian L. Coxx was so captivated by the tradition that he created a photo collection focused on the art on The Rocks, titled 'NU Rock Art: Imprinted On This Rock Forever In Love'. This collection showcases the beauty and diversity of the paintings on The Rock throughout the seasons.
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Personal messages
The Rock at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, is a purple-and-white quartzite boulder located between University Hall and Harris Hall. Over the years, it has served as a billboard for campus groups and events, painted with different colours and messages. While it is more commonly used by clubs and organisations to promote events or causes, personal messages are not uncommon.
One student on Reddit shared that they wanted to paint The Rock with some friends to wish their mother a happy birthday while they were neck-deep in midterms and unable to visit her. They were under the impression that The Rock was reserved for clubs and organisations and that personal messages were discouraged. However, another student replied that they had seen proposals being made and celebrated on the livestream.
The Rock was originally a fountain donated by the Class of 1902, who liked the idea of having a water feature on campus. Students began painting the rock in the 1940s, first as a prank and then as an accepted avenue of expression. It has since become a tradition for students to guard the rock for 24 hours before painting it in the middle of the night.
The rocks along the shore of Northwestern University have become a staple in the Evanston community and a tradition for students and visitors alike. They offer a creative space for people to express themselves and leave a lasting mark on the campus. Local photographer Brian L. Coxx was so moved by this tradition that he created a photo collection titled "NU Rock Art: Imprinted On This Rock Forever In Love," capturing the beauty and significance of the painted rocks.
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Campus groups and events
The Rock at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, is a purple-and-white quartzite boulder located between University Hall and Harris Hall. It serves as a billboard for campus groups and events and has been painted with different colours and messages over the years.
The Rock was originally a fountain, a gift from the Class of 1902, who liked the idea of having a water feature on the south end of the campus. The first painting of the rock occurred in the 1940s, initially as a prank, and then as an accepted avenue of expression. Over time, it became a canvas for student art, opinions, advertising, messages, proposals, and jokes.
- The Northwestern Club Ultimate Frisbee Teams, who painted it to pump up their team for an upcoming tournament
- The annual event Take Back the Night, which honours survivors of sexual violence
- The annual fundraising event for cancer awareness and research
- The annual Act! Speak! Build! philanthropy event
- The annual Sail with a Sailor event
- The Catholic Student Association
- The annual Kardboard Regatta philanthropy event
- The annual Light the Way philanthropy event
- The annual Delta Chi Movers philanthropy event
- The annual FIJI Island philanthropy event
- The annual ChiOmerica philanthropy event
- Pinoy Show 2015, an event celebrating Filipino culture
- The 84th annual Waa-Mu show "GOLD: THE 1936 BERLIN OLYMPICS"
- The annual event March Through the Arch, where each incoming freshman class is led by the marching band through the Weber Arch
Students have also used The Rock to promote their own shows, such as Treasure Island and The Wrong Baby.
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Student art and expression
The Rock at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, is a large purple-and-white quartzite boulder located between University Hall and Harris Hall. It was transplanted from Devil's Lake, Wisconsin, as a gift from the class of 1902, who wanted to bring running water to the campus "in some form or another". The boulder was first rigged to make a fountain and later refitted into a drinking fountain.
Over the years, The Rock became a popular site for student self-expression, with students painting different colours and messages on it. The first painting of the rock occurred in the 1940s, initially as a prank, and then as a legitimate avenue for student art, opinions, advertising, messages, proposals, and jokes. The Rock has since become a frequently used location for student activism, performance, and philanthropy.
Students have developed the tradition of guarding The Rock for 24 hours before painting it, to ensure that no two groups paint it at the same time. The Rock has been painted to promote club events, performances, and philanthropy initiatives. For example, it was painted to promote the annual event 'Take Back the Night', which honours survivors of sexual violence. It has also been used to commemorate important historical events, such as the 100-year anniversary of the Assyrian genocide.
The Rock is also used for more lighthearted messages, such as a lyric from a Taylor Swift song, or a simple sentence expressing affection for Northwestern: 'NU is waiting for U'. The rocks along the shore of Northwestern University have become a staple in the Evanston community and a tradition for students and visitors alike. They offer a creative space for people to express themselves and leave a lasting mark on the campus.
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Philanthropy and activism
The Rock at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, has been a space for student expression since the 1940s. Over the years, students have painted it to promote their clubs, events, and causes. The rock has become a site for student activism and philanthropy, with new messages and art appearing almost nightly.
One example of philanthropy is the annual Act! Speak! Build! event. The rock was painted to promote this annual gathering, which aims to bring attention to various social issues and encourage community service. Another example is the annual fundraising event for cancer awareness and research. The rock was painted to promote this event and raise awareness about cancer within the Northwestern community.
The rock has also been used to promote cultural events, such as Pinoy Show 2015, which celebrated Filipino culture. In addition, the rock has been painted to commemorate important historical events, such as the 100-year anniversary of the Assyrian genocide. This demonstrates how the rock is used not only for current events but also to educate and raise awareness about historical events.
Beyond philanthropy and activism, the rock is also a space for personal expression. Students have painted tributes to friends who have passed away, as well as group chat messages and portraits of characters like Winnie the Pooh. The rock serves as a way for students to connect with each other and express their thoughts and feelings through art and words.
The tradition of painting the rock at Northwestern has become an integral part of the university's culture and history. It allows students to express their creativity, promote their causes, and connect with their peers. The rock has become a beloved symbol of Northwestern's vibrant student community.
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Frequently asked questions
The Rock is a purple-and-white quartzite boulder on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, USA. It was transplanted from Devil's Lake, Wisconsin, as a gift from the class of 1902.
People paint various things on the rock at Northwestern, including advertising, messages, proposals, jokes, and art. The rock serves as a billboard for campus groups and events.
Yes, there are a few rules for painting the rock at Northwestern. One rule is that someone must guard the rock for 24 hours before painting it. Another rule is that personal messages are discouraged, and the rock is more for clubs and organizations to promote their events.
