Traditions
Hymn to the Alma Mater
Hymn to the Alma Mater on SoundCloud
Lyrics
OBU all hail thy name! Sons and daughters honor thee;
May thy standard green and gold Lead eternally.
Proudly stand on Bison Hill 'Neath the wind-swept sky;
Alma Mater we will praise thee As the years go by.
When the shades of evening fall, Through the hush of fading day,
Silent voices praise thy name, Hearts look up to pray.
May thy spirit guide thy sons, Keep thy daughters true,
Loyal to our Alma Mater, God bless OBU.
The Bison — The OBU Mascot
The Bison provided food, clothing, and shelter to Native Americans. Before OBU was established, what is now known as Bison Hill was well-known bison territory. The founders of OBU chose the Bison as the mascot because they hoped OBU graduates also would help meet the needs of the world.
Green and Gold — The School Colors
In its early days, Oklahoma wildflowers known as coreopsis provided a sea of green and gold for Bison Hill when they bloomed in the spring.
Ka-Rip!
Ka-Rip! is a spirit chant yelled by the OBU fans and cheerleaders during sporting events. New students learn the yell during Welcome Week and try it out following The Walk on the final night of orientation.
Ka-rip Ka-rap Ka-riplo typlo tap
Oh! Oh! Rincto lincto hio-totimus
Hopula scipula copula gotimus
Chink-to-lack Chink-to-lee
Ka-willa, Ka-walla, Ka Victory
Oh! Oh! Hoogula choogula choogula can.
Ragula tagula melican man
Let'er go rip, let'er go ruse
Tingula Tangula, turn'em a-loose
Zip! Bang! OBU!
The Fight Song
Lyrics
Fight on, fight on for OBU! On to victory!
Sons and daughters strong to the end; Faithful we will be.
Raise the standard of green and gold, loyal, always true;
Make our stand on Bison Hill. Fight on, OBU!
Ka-rip Ka-rap Ka-riplo typlo tap;
Ka-willa, Ka-walla, Ka Victory, fight on, OBU!
Fight on, fight on for OBU! On to victory!
Sons and daughters strong to the end; Faithful we will be.
Raise the standard of green and gold, loyal, always true;
Make our stand on Bison Hill. Fight on, OBU!
The Walk
New students take The Walk which begins at the Oval and ends on the steps of Raley Chapel. It is held on the final night of Welcome Week, and mirrors the walk that will be taken on graduation day.
The Beanie
OBU was founded in 1910, and shortly after, the freshman beanie became a tradition which is still in practice. The beanie is worn by freshmen during Welcome Week in order to distinguish and highlight new students for returning students.