Starting Friday, September 23, 2011 – we are returning to the true tradition of becoming an Aggie.  In recent years, an official line has been formed, allowing students a chance to wait in line to kiss on top of the "A". However, to become a True Aggie, one needs to give or receive a kiss on the "A" under a full moon at midnight.   Rather than forming endless lines that often last until 2 am, all students will surround the "A" and at the stroke of midnight, receive a kiss.

We will be having a celebrity couple on top of the "A" at midnight and all others are welcome to gather as close to the “A” as possible. After midnight, numerous tables will be available and you can then pick up your True Aggie card.

Those who want to stay and take a picture on the "A" can do so after midnight.

Schedule of activities on Friday, September 23, 2011 (Homecoming True Aggie Night):

  • 10:45 pm: students gather on the QUAD and prepare to break the Guinness Book of World's Record for the longest kissing chain.  This will occur in the designated areas on the QUAD.

  • 11:00 pm: Longest kissing chain begins.  Important: once we start the kissing chain, you cannot leave or enter the designated area.  No running from the front of the kissing chain to the back of the kissing chain. 

  • 11:30 pm: Ribbon cutting at the "A" to unveil the 2011 Senior Class Gift.

  • 11:50 pm: Everyone gathers around the "A".

  • Midnight: True Aggie Tradition (no lines will be formed for True Aggie Night).

2011-12 True Aggie Nights

Join us at the "A" at midnight on the following dates:

September 12, 2011
September 23, 2011 (Homecoming)
October 11, 2011
November 10, 2011
December 10, 2011
January 9, 2012
February 7, 2012
March 8, 2012
April 6, 2012
April 20, 2012 (A-Day)

True Aggie Night Photos

The major True Aggie Nights are Homecoming and A-Day. The evening always starts off with a celebrity couple.

Click here to view the True Aggie Night photo galleries.

True Aggie History

In 1916, several students from Salt Lake City founded the Beno Club. In 1917, the Benos erected their "headstone" on campus, a block "A", which was placed to the west of the Mechanic Arts Building. The monument was moved several times before it went into storage in the early 1960s. In 1967, past students, alumni, and older faculty members campaigned to have the block "A" returned to the Quad, where it was erected atop Old Main Hill, just northwest of the Main Building.

Divergent stories exist as to the founding of the Benos, from a high school principal telling students there would "be no" clubs to an infuriated university president saying there would "be no more clubs" on campus because of student pranksters greasing the trolley tracks coming up 500 North to College Hill.

Whatever its derivation, the Beno Club performed a conspicuous amount of service on campus. In 1926, the club affiliated nationally with the Intercollegiate Knights, adopting the motto of "service, sacrifice, and loyalty."

Today, one can become a "True Aggie" by receiving a kiss on the "A" under a full moon at midnight by somebody who already is a "True Aggie," or on Homecoming or A-Day by somebody who is not. The Student Alumni Association is proud to be the keepers of the True Aggie tradition.