15 Reasons Why Sweet Briar College Is Worth Saving

Yesterday, Sweet Briar College announced that it would be closing it's doors in August of this year. You may have heard the news and thought to yourself, "What the heck is a Sweet Briar?" (Answer: it's a rose...and also an amazing women's college.) A movement is brewing to #SaveSweetBriar and the small, dedicated army behind it would like your support. Here are 15 reasons why:

The Mascot Is A Vixen Which Is Pretty Much The Coolest Thing Ever

Via blogger.com

Only at a women's college can you have one of the most intelligent, determined and clever female members of the animal kingdom as your mascot. And who knew that they had such keen canoeing skills?!

Traditions, traditions!

Via traditions.sbc.edu

Sweet Briar's land was donated by Indiana Fletcher in honor of her daughter Daisy who died when she was 16. Every year on Founder's Day, the students and faculty walk up the hill to bring flowers to lay at their graves. It is one of Sweet Briar's many annual traditions along with Step Singing, Lantern Bearing and The Hitching Post Fight. (And yes, most of these traditions DO feature bagpipes 'cause why not?)

The "Holla Holla" Song

Via fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net

There are tons of songs that Sweet Briar girls sing to each other but none is more supportive than the "Holla Holla" song. It's a song sung to celebrate different Sweet Briar milestones (e.g. graduation.) The lyrics are:

Here's To The Vixens

Holla Holla Holla

Nothing That You Cannot Do

Here's To The Vixens

Holla Holla Holla

Nothing That You Cannot Do

Work For The Good And Work For The Right

Always Doing Something And Doing It Right

So, Here's To The Vixens

Holla Holla Holla

Nothing That You Cannot Do

Nothing that you cannot do, indeed, fierce Vixens!

The Campus Is Haunted...Really!

Via classesandcareers.com

Students swear that the ghosts of the Fletcher family haunt the grounds of Sweet Briar. There are numerous stories claiming sightings of Indiana showing up for nightly visits in the President's house. Daisy is known as the impish one, rattling windowpanes and playing with children. Occasionally, particularly daring students will hike up to the Screaming Statue at night in hopes of hearing otherworldy wailing. Spoooooky!

Men Need Not Fear To Tread Here

Via Erin Coleman

While the charter specifically states that men may not graduate from Sweet Briar College, there are definitely men represented in the Sweet Briar student body. Because so many of the faculty and staff raise families on the Sweet Briar campus, many of their sons spend their first two years of college soaking in all that Sweet Briar has to offer before shipping off to co-ed schools. And with UVA, VMI and all-male Hampden-Sydney College nearby, there is never a dearth of guys to hang out with outside of the classroom!

They Have Some Kick Ass Slogans

Via raeganhuston.com

The motto of Sweet Briar is "Rosam quae meruit ferat," which translates to "She who has earned the rose may bear it." Which sounds like it was lifted straight from the crest of one of the houses in Game of Thrones. (Perhaps cousins of the Tyrells?) Another, more recent slogan, is "Think Is for Girls." Baller.

It's Just So Freaking Beautiful

Via womenscolleges.org

Sweet Briar is situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and boasts a lake, miles of hiking and riding trails and stables that house the horses of it's renowned riding program. Sometimes at twilight, deer will make their way onto the dell to graze on the soft grass. The college is also known for its stunning architecture with many of the buildings classified as historical landmarks.

Students Are Never Just A Number In A Seating Chart

Via academic.sbc.edu

Class sizes range from 2(!) to 20 students so everyone is guaranteed plenty of individual attention in the classroom. Most of the faculty and staff live on campus creating a true sense of shared community with the students. Professors and students frequently develop friendships that last long after graduation. (And if you decide to play hooky, you do so at your own risk! Chances are you'll get caught red-handed by the professor you told you were "sick" as you lounge on the dell or grab a bite to eat in the dining hall.)

The Alumnae Are Awesome!

Via pbs.twimg.com

Sweet Briar also has a long tradition of graduating notable women from Janet Lee Bouvier (mother to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis) to Leah Busque (founder of Task Rabbit.) Other alumnae include Diana Muldaur, Molly Haskell, Patsy Ticer and Colleen Bell.

The College Was #LikeAGirl Before #LikeAGirl Was A Thing

Via futurefocusfoundation.us

Sweet Briar has always been a place for talented, smart young women to come grow, learn and explore during their undergraduate years. When they graduate, they enter the world and workforce as strong, confident, educated women. And, in recent years, they offered science and engineering summer programs for high school girls to help foster an interest in these traditionally male-dominated fields. Sweet Briar women; getting it done #LikeAGirl for 114 years!

Sweet Briar Women Are Seriously Honorable

Erin Coleman

One of the first things incoming freshman do is sign the Sweet Briar Honor Code. It is pledge that is taken very seriously by the community and, as a result, the campus culture is one of trust and security. It is not uncommon for dorm rooms to remain unlocked and purses to be left unattended. Also, students are allowed to take exams at their own pace during midterm and finals week.

They Also Have An Intense Sense of Civic Duty

Via sbc.edu

Sweet Briar women are keenly aware of the needs of the world around them and spend many hours devoted to helping the greater good. This sense of responsibility stays with them for the rest of their lives.

Not Quite Sure How To Put This But...Sweet Briar Is Kind Of A Big Deal

Via princetonreview.com

Throughout the years, Sweet Briar has scored high in rankings published by The Princeton Review and Forbes. The college has been lauded for such attributes as Accessibility of Professors, Career Placement Services and Best Overall Academic Experience. Pretty darn impressive!

They Are Strongly Committed To Providing An Education To All Who Are Worthy To Bear The Rose

princetonreview.com / Via princetonreview.com

Sweet Briar's average financial aid package comes in at $27, 770.00 with 78% of average financial need being met for incoming students. This makes a top-notch education affordable to every girl who earns her admission through academic achievement and personal accomplishments.

After the news of the college closing broke yesterday , one student reflected on social media about how Sweet Briar had afforded her opportunities she never would have had otherwise:

"As I lie in bed unable to sleep, wondering why this is so hard, I realized as the first person in my family to go to college, Sweet Briar gave me more than a scholarship and a diploma. SBC gave me a chance at a better life than where I came from. It gave me a family that I desperately needed at a time when I needed it the most. The bubble forever changed me from a scared screwed up girl to a confident and capable woman. My heart breaks for my first true home."

Some Women You Might Recognize Have Benefitted From A Single Sex Education

Via media1.s-nbcnews.com

Sweet Briar College is one of only 40 colleges that remain available to women seeking a single-sex education. And while that might not be everyone's cup of tea, it was the perfect fit for women such as Hillary Clinton, Martha Stewart and Gloria Steinem. In a recent interview with The Huffington Post, Kerry Washington spoke out about the continued value of single-sex education.

These are just a very few examples of what makes Sweet Briar such a special place to the many who regard it as their home away from home. (And to the few who permanently call it home.) If you'd like to help keep Sweet Briar a part of the American college landscape you can visit http://savingsweetbriar.com/ and pledge your support. You can also join the conversation on Twitter by using #SaveSweetBriar. Hope to see you there!