The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Homecoming tradition of lighting the world’s largest M earned the “2018 Your Best Campus Tradition” in a vote by the National Association for Campus Activities.
The annual M lighting was honored for schools with more than 5,000 students in the nation-wide vote of colleges and universities. NACA has more than 900 members, including nearly 450 with enrollments above 5,000.
"The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has many outstanding traditions from our 150-plus years of history, but perhaps none more recognizable than the Homecoming lighting of the M," said Chancellor Dennis J. Shields. "Whenever I meet with alumni across the country, I'm almost always told a fond story about the M lighting from their days on campus. This event connects our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community together in a very special way. It's another reason why every day is a great day to be a Pioneer."
The M was first constructed on a 45-degree angle on the Platte Mound in 1937 in honor of the Wisconsin Mining School, which merged with the teacher’s college in 1959 to form what is now UW-Platteville. At 214 by 241 feet, the limestone piles make up the world’s largest M. The outline of the M has been lit every Homecoming since Oct. 16, 1937, using kerosene containers.
“I am thrilled to death for the people who put this together,” said David Nevins, director of Campus Programming and Relations. “It is really a cool tradition that has taken on a life of its own. We are THE school of over 5,000 students who made it through the preliminary rounds and then through the final three to be voted the best tradition.”
Much like Homecoming itself, the nomination process was a collaborative effort, Nevins said. Tyler Tollefson of Media Technology Services, with assistance of the CPR students, produced a video which showed the history of the event, including the 4.6-mile torch relay that precedes the lighting.
“We had the idea, and he’s the one who put it all together,” Nevins said. “He did a phenomenal job.”
The video reflects the importance of both the M and Homecoming to UW-Platteville, Nevins said.
“For me, after being here for 20 years, I’m amazed at the number of people who journey back from all over,” Nevins said. “Even if it’s just for half an hour at the parade or the M or wherever, it’s just great time catching up with people. The city of Platteville and people of Platteville really embrace it. Our Homecoming is something special.”
Making it special doesn’t happen by chance, he added. “Homecoming is such a group effort,” Nevins said. “Students are engaged and excited already in April. You can’t start planning in September for an October Homecoming. It is a big process.”
The 2019 Homecoming lighting of the M is set for Saturday, Oct. 19