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Oglethorpe Students Take Delight in Kissing a
Boar's Head
Atlanta – The boar's head will be the center of attention
at Oglethorpe University's 81st annual Boar's Head Ceremony and
Holiday Concert on Friday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Conant
Performing Arts Center.
This event will feature music by university ensembles under the
direction of W. Irwin Ray, as well as performances by The Oglethorpe
Dancers, The Oglethorpe Flute Choir and The Oglethorpe Recorder
Ensemble, with Mary Lynn Ryland, organist; Randy Roberson, pianist;
and James Hakes, trumpeter. Additionally, Miriam White and David
Jenkins will also provide accompaniment. The highlight of the
evening is the obscure "kissing of the boar's head" initiation
ceremony for students inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), a
national leadership honor society founded at Washington and Lee
University in 1914.
The legend of Boar's Head can be traced back to the late 14th
century at Queens College of Oxford University. It seems that a
student named Copcot, wandering the forest of Shotover on the day
before Christmas, stopped to read Aristotle when he was attacked by
a wild boar. As the boar charged, Copcot stood his ground saying in
Greek, "Wisdom conquers even the treacherous beast." At the last
moment, he extended his arm, thus ramming the book down the throat
of the animal. The boar found Aristotle hard to swallow and, amidst
much choking and gasping, expired. Copcot brought the carcass to the
college cook, who roasted it, Aristotle and all, for Christmas
dinner. It was observed that those who ate the flesh of this boar
grew wiser with each bite.
Oglethorpe University, steeped in English tradition with ties to
Corpus Christi College of Oxford University, adopted the tradition
as an occasion to hold a holiday party for faculty, staff and
students. As the event has evolved through the years, it has become
a time to honor the inductees of ODK. New ODK initiates carry the
boar's head, mounted on a platter, into the auditorium where the
legend is told and the various musical ensembles and the audience
participate in a holiday concert.
A reception, during which the ODK initiates kiss the boar's head
as part of their initiation, will follow in the lobby of the Conant
Performing Arts Center.
Oglethorpe University is an independent, highly selective,
coeducational liberal arts institution located at 4484 Peachtree
Road in northeast Atlanta.
For more information, call (404) 364-8447.
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