Reed College has an abundance of niche and quirky traditions and lore, but we also partake in some of the more standard college traditions. One such tradition is that of the Alma Mater anthem, Fair Reed. An often forgotten aspect of Reed culture and history, the Reed College song Fair Reed was proposed by Reed’s first president, William Trufant Foster, in 1910 or 1911. He also wrote the lyrics. The tune is to an old Scotch melody, “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms”. I employ you to keep the tradition alive by reading the lyrics and maybe even giving it a sing, for without our collective memory this tradition may fade away.
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Taliah Churchill ’25
