Symposium Party

By Rory Gilchrist

Last night was a special event on campus: the Symposium party. It’s a Johnnie tradition, based off of the Platonic dialogue of the same name. Freshman read the Symposium in seminar (and traditionally wear a tunic or toga to class), then right afterwards the whole school heads on over to the Great Hall and blow off a little steam while giving a fun nod to the Program.

The dialogue itself is a discussion on love, what it is, what power it has over us and how love can make us truer philosophers. (Just in time for Valentine’s day, too).

Everyone had a great time at the party. The Freshman Party Committee decked out with fake sharpie Greek columns and benches to recline in and feed each other grapes. There were streamers dangling from the ceiling and lots of heart-shape cut outs bedazzled with plastic jewels. It looked really cool, though—kitschy but fun.

Most events on campus, whether official College parties or just impromptu gatherings usually have some Program reference. The work we do in class tends to bleed over into the campus social atmosphere (and sometimes the reverse happens, too…). Students learn to balance both the Apollonian and Dionysian aspects of the Program, and parties like the Symposium are a great way to do just that.