Activity: UConn History Walk and Trivia, Provided by Jim Hill

One way to connect students with UConn tradition is to discuss UConn trivia and history as you walk across campus totheDairy Bar, where you can talk about what it means to be a research-intensive landgrantinstitution.

Below is a list of the 125th Anniversary Historical Markers across campus where at each of these points, stands a plaque and a brief historical description about the UConn Campus at that marker. Photos of these markers can be found on the FYP&LC Evernote. (The photo of the great lawn plaque is shown here.) Also on the Evernote is a map with these points marked to make it easier to visualize where they are located on campus.

125TH Anniversary Historical Markers

  1. Built to Last- Garden between Benton Museum and Wilbur Cross Building, facing East
  2. The Great Lawn- South West corner of quad formed by Wilbur Cross, Great Lawn, Austin Building and
  3. Armories of Educational Resources- Hawley Armory by Fairfield Way facing East
  4. University Life- Gilbert Road, “Faculty Row” facing South
  5. Historic Homesteads- Mirror Lake, East side facing 195/Blake House
  6. First Step, Fallen Friend- Corner of North Eagleville Rd and 195, By UCONN sign facing East
  7. Lakes and Stones- Swan Lake, Corner of Glenbrook and North Eagleville Roads, facing North
  8. The Brothers Storrs- Storrs Cemetery, facing South
  9. A Jungle and Some Frats- The North Campus Quad, facing South

Below you will find UConn trivia with multiple choice questions for students and the answers with a short description for instructors.

LO1: Students will learn about and physically visit sites connected to UConn’s history in order to understand the foundation upon which all of the current social and academic support services and enrichment opportunities offered at UConn have been built.

LO2: Students will understand the definitions of research-intensive university and land grant institution and how these are relevant to their UConn experience.

LO3: Students will be able to identify tangible ways in which UConn contributes to the local community and beyond.

  1. Which two brothers founded the institution that would become the University of Connecticut?

A. Lewis and Alexander Beach / B. Charles and Augustus Storrs
C. Lester and Robert Shippee / D. Albert and Nels Jorgensen
  1. The University of Connecticut has previously had four names. Select the name that is NOT a part of UConn’s history.

A. Storrs Agricultural College / B. Agricultural School
C. Connecticut State College / D. Connecticut Agricultural School
  1. UConn’s husky mascot is named for which Connecticut governor?

A. Jonathan McMahon / B. Jonathan Tremain
C. Jonathan Trumbull / D. Jonathan Hollister
  1. What was the name of the University of Connecticut’s first student newspaper?

A. The Charter Oak / B. The Lookout
C. The Lantern / D. The Chronicle
  1. Before becoming the Huskies, UConn athletics teams were known as:

A. Aggies / B. Panthers
C. Minutemen / D. Bluemen
  1. What is the name of UConn’s Alma Mater?

A. Connecticut U / B. Old Connecticut
C. UConn Husky / D. Varsity
  1. In 2004 the University of Connecticut successfully completed the largest private fund-raising effort ever conducted by a public university in New England. What was the name of this initiative?

A. 21st Century UConn / B. Campaign UConn
C. UCONN 2000 / D. The Oak Leaf Fund
  1. Who was UConn’s first president?

A. Benjamin Koons / B. Charles Beach
C. Albert Jorgensen / D. Homer Babbidge
  1. UConn made NCAA Division I history by becoming the first university to capture dual championships in which sport--twice?

A. Soccer / B. Basketball
C. Hockey / D. Football
  1. How many campuses comprise the University of Connecticut?

A. 1 / B. 5
C. 8 / D. 2

Instructor Guide Copy:

  1. Which two brothers founded the institution that would become the University of Connecticut?

B. In 1880, Charles and Augustus Storrs offered the state of Connecticut 170 acres of farmland, a former Civil War orphanage and barns to establish an agricultural school for boys. The school would become the University of Connecticut.
  1. The University of Connecticut has previously had four names. Select the name that is NOT a part of UConn’s history.

B. UConn has been known as Storrs Agricultural School, Storrs Agricultural College, Connecticut Agricultural College, Connecticut State College and finally, the University of Connecticut.
  1. UConn’s husky mascot is named for which Connecticut governor?

C. UConn's mascot was named for Jonathan Trumbull, Connecticut's Revolutionary War-era governor.
  1. What was the name of the University of Connecticut’s first student newspaper?

B. UConn's first student newspaper, The Lookout, was first published in May of 1896.
  1. Before becoming the Huskies, UConn athletics teams were known as:

A. UConn athletes were originally known as the Aggies. When Connecticut Agricultural College became Connecticut State College in 1933, the institution's athletic teams could no longer be called "Aggies." The Husky mascot was adopted in 1934.
  1. What is the name of UConn’s Alma Mater?

B. Lyrics for "Old Connecticut," UConn's cherished alma mater, were penned by University alumna Alice Sawin Davis, Class of 1925.
  1. In 2004 the University of Connecticut successfully completed the largest private fund-raising effort ever conducted by a public university in New England. What was the name of this initiative?

B. Campaign UConn, a six-year fundraising initiative, surpassed its initial $300 million goal and raised $471.1 million in gifts and pledges.
  1. Who was UConn’s first president?

A. Benjamin Koons became principal of Storrs Agricultural School in 1882. In 1893 his title was changed to president. Susan Herbst is the 15th and current president of the University.
  1. UConn made NCAA Division I history by becoming the first university to capture dual championships (twice) in which sport?

B. During their 2003-04 seasons, the men's and women's basketball teams catapulted UConn to legendary status in athletics with their dual national championships. They did this again in 2014.
  1. How many campuses comprise the University of Connecticut?

C. The University spans more than 4,200 acres at its Storrs campus, five regional campuses, UConn Health Center in Farmington and School of Law in Hartford.