Miami University - Oxford, OH - Philatelic Photographs on Waymarking.com

Miami University was founded in 1809 making it the second oldest institute of higher education in the state of Ohio - Ohio University in Athens, which also was featured on a U.S. postal card, is the oldest being founded in 1804. This commemorative postal card was issued in 2009 the year which marked Miami University’s 200th anniversary. In college football circles, the school is known as Miami of Ohio to distinguish it from the University of Miami in Florida. (Miami University in Ohio was established well before Florida was even a part of the United States.)

Miami University’s history is divided into two parts called old Miami and new Miami. Administrative problems and major disagreements between the staff and student body resulted in diminished enrollment and the school was closed in 1873 thus ending the “old Miami” period. The school reopened in 1885 and though it struggled for a while with low enrollment, it eventually grew into the major university it is today with about 25,000 students spread over five campuses.

Like most institutes of higher education, Miami University maintains certain superstitions. One is that you can obtain good luck by rubbing the head of one of six copper turtles supporting a large sundial on campus. If done before an exam, tradition has it that you will receive an ‘A.’ On the other hand, it’s unlucky to step on the large seal found in the middle of the campus. To do so might result in failure on your next exam. I wonder if you accidentally step on the seal, if you can counteract the effect by rubbing one of the turtle heads? Perhaps they cancel each other out and you’ll just receive a ‘C.’

The building on the postal card is MacCracken Hall. Named for Henry Mitchell MacCracken, a nineteenth-century graduate of Miami University and noted educator, MacCracken is currently a residence hall.

Stamp Issuing Country: United States Date of Issue: 17-Feb-2009 Denomination: 27c Color: multicolored Stamp Type: Single Stamp Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]

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