Wearing lab coats to non-lab events “because tradition.”
WEARING LAB COATS TO NON-LAB EVENTS “BECAUSE TRADITION.”
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Remember those moments? Walking through the quad, past the historic buildings, on your way to a completely non-scientific event – perhaps a departmental social, a club meeting, or even just grabbing coffee – all while sporting a pristine (or sometimes not-so-pristine) lab coat. Why? “Because tradition,” of course. It’s one of those uniquely collegiate rituals, a blend of the absurd and the endearing, that somehow became a cornerstone of our departmental or club identity.
We've all had those moments, haven't we? Donning that coat, maybe with a hint of self-conscious pride, knowing it marked you as part of something specific. It wasn't just about chemistry or biology; it was about belonging. It was about carrying a tangible piece of your academic tribe into the broader campus ecosystem. Did we love it? Did we hate it? Often, it was a bit of both – a slightly silly obligation that, in retrospect, forged connections and created unforgettable stories. These subtle acts of collective participation, seemingly arbitrary, are the threads that weave the rich tapestry of our time in those hallowed halls. They were the unspoken badges, the shared inside jokes, the small affirmations of our journey through challenging studies and vibrant campus life. They remind us that even in environments striving for the pinnacle of intellectual pursuit, human connection and ritual remain profoundly important.