Franklin & Marshall College Franklin & Marshall College

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Brooks College House

Symbols and Traditions

House Motto

"Primus Inter Pares" (First Among Equals)

A call for the students of Brooks College House to pursue excellence and to constantly strive to put forth their best efforts while respecting the qualities of those around them.

House Symbols

  • Brooks Phoenix

  • Crest: A yellow phoenix in full plumage over a divided field of blue and green.

    The phoenix, and its myth, represent the ideal college and life experience of Brooks College House members. As in the myth, new House members symbolically leave behind their previous lives and emerge from the fire of their Franklin & Marshall education and Brooks House experience "reborn" as liberally educated adults and good citizens, prepared to enter their professions, their communities, and their world.

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  • Colors: Royal Blue and Hunter Green

    These colors represent some of the core values that we strive to instill in the members of our House community: to pursue truth and loyalty (blue) in education and life, and to do so through the process of rebirth with hope and joy (green).

House Traditions

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  • Phoenix Ceremony

    During orientation, first-year Brooksians are asked to write down 1) something about themselves that they would like to remain a part of their past as they move on to college and and are incorporated into the Brooks House community, and 2) a goal that they would like to achieve or a part of themselves that they would like to develop during their time in Brooks and at F&M. The first items are placed into the ceremonial Phoenix Sculpture, which is placed into a bonfire on Hartman Green. This "rebirth" through fire epitomizes the symbolism of the phoenix and is an integral part of orientation for new Brooks House members. The second items are returned as students leave F&M at the end of their senior year and allow for important self-reflection on their personal and academic growth.

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  • Banner Signing

    Since our founding in 2005, incoming first-year members of Brooks College House have signed the back of a large banner that reads "Welcome to Brooks House." This collection of names and class years represents the continuing physical and intellectual growth of our House community.

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  • Brooks Buddies

  • Brooks Buddies is the signature community outreach event of Brooks College House. House members volunteer to spend a morning working with local elementary school students on healthy living and physical education activities.

    Brooks Buddies 2011 was held on Thursday, November 10th from 9:00am - 11:00am in the ASFC. 

    Click here for coverage of Brooks Buddies in The Diplomat.