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Just be glad we kept it to 62.
College is better in the South thats our story, and were sticking to it.
Credit: Rob Hainer/Getty Images
Fromgorgeous campusesand top-notch academics, to unbeatable athletics and welcoming communities, theres nothing quite like a Southern university.
We have 62 reasons that prove it.
Though, to be perfectly honest, this list could easily be twice as long.
Credit: Andrew Cebulka
For example, did you know that the South is home to the largest contiguous campus in the world?
The numbers back us up, but some of the evidence cant be measured you just feel it.
Like the fact that we have the best late-night food and unparalleled music scenes.
Thomas Jefferson’s Rotunda at the University of Virginia.Credit: Photo ©2008 Patrick Morrissey/Flickr.
(Head over to the 40 Watt Club inAthensto see for yourself.)
Plus, game days cant be beat.
Read on, and let our list remind you why spending yourcollege years in the Southis something undeniably special.
Graduates of Spelman College listen to actor Danny Glover during commencement ceremonies for the womens' school May 19, 2002 in Lithonia, GA. Approximately 450 women received their undergraduate degrees from the predominately black school.Credit: Photo by Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images
Life In The South
1 - Youll never have to walk to class in the snow.
2 - Small Southern towns likeAuburn, Fayetteville, andOxfordgive you a sense of community beyond the campus.
4 - Wherever you are, theres aroad trip-worthy city or small town nearby.
Credit:Michael Barera/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-4.0
5 - …and probably aBuc-eeson the way there.
7 - The great outdoors have never been more accessible than they are on a Southern college campus.
Most have their own hiking trails, arboretums, gardens, and natural spaces.
Credit: Photo: Courtesy University of Mississippi
And you’re free to enjoy them year-round.
9 - Air-conditioned dorm rooms.
(Well, most of the time.)
Credit:Shakespeare’s Pizza/Facebook
11 - Even the trees are storied.
One of those trees is dedicated to unknown soldiers, or those missing in action.
13 - Theres architecture worth traveling for:UVAs Rotundais a half-scale interpretation of the Pantheonin Rome.
University of Alabama Football Stadium.Credit: maggiejp / Flickr
Georgetowns Healy Hall, with its impressive clock tower is one of Americas last large-scale High Victorian Gothic buildings.
AndFlorida Southern Collegeboasts an incredible 12 buildings designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Called the Child of the Sun collection, the buildings were constructed between 1941 and 1958.
Its also home to one of only 20 complete copies of the Gutenberg Bible in the world.
15 - Art abounds on Southern campuses.
Founded in 1868, the Museum at Hampton University is the nations oldest African American museum.
And at Flagler College, the dining hall is home to 79 stained-glass windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
18 - And they are the biggest, too.
At 27,000 acres, Berry College is the largest contiguous campus in the world.
Since 1967, anyone can contribute to the ever-changing canvas.
Academics
20 - Money isnt a barrier to a great education here.
21 - William & Mary is Americasfirst law school.
22 -Spelman Collegeis ranked thetop HBCUin America.
24 - We take our honor codes seriously.
Campus Life
Michael Barera/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-4.0
26 - College radio still matters!
The Princeton Review says The University of South Florida has thebest station.
27 - Youll never meet a stranger.
Washington and Lee University has the speaking tradition in which youre encouraged to greet everyone you pass on campus.
At Sewanee, they call it the passing hello.
28 - According to The Princeton Review, the happiest college in America is Texas Christian University inFort Worth.
And that’s not allsix schools out of the top ten happiest colleges are in the South.
29 - Climbing the bell tower at Furman University is a must.
30 - Even the benches around campus are special.
At Duke University, students design, build, and paint them.
32 - you’re free to actually run away and join the circus at Florida State University.
TheHigh Flying Circusis a 75-year tradition that turns students into performers.
33 - Little rituals matter.
34 - Weve perfected the art of the step show.
35 - The South is the original home of homecoming.
(Mizzou claims to be the first; theirs started in 1911.)
Ourtailgate tentsare often outfitted with chandeliers and upholstered furniture.
37 - you’re able to walk out of your dorm room and straight into atailgate party.
38 - Tailgates double as fashion shows.
39 - Clemson University has a graveyard for teams theyve beaten.
41 -Cook the Enemy gumboat LSU.
42 - Our celebrations arelegendary.
Naval Academy, and Smokey the coonhound at University of Tennessee, just to name a few.
47 - The lemonade at Auburn UniversitysToomers Drugs.
48 - Auburn also has its own food hall.
49 - The world-famous, served-only-one-way hamburgers at Mizzous legendary bar and restaurantBooches.
Or head to nearby Shakespeare’s Pizza for ‘The Masterpiece’ pizza.
50 -We created Gatorade.
The iconic sports drink was invented at the University of Floridas College of Medicine in 1965.
51 - The college-priced bacon-wrapped filets and Nicodemus cocktails atNicks in the Sticksat the University of Alabama.
52 - Post-game cheese fries and a cold beer at Oklahoma StatesEskimo Joes.
56 - Three words: Magic City Classic.
Held inBirmingham, its the largest historically black college and university (HBCU) football game in the country.
58 - We even invent our own sportslikeFlickerballat Davidson College.
59 - Our golf game is strong, too.
60 - Our marching bands rule.
Check out Jackson State UniversitysSonic Boom of the South.
61 - And theyre the biggest.
The Fightin Aggie Band at Texas A&M is the largest military marching band in the world.
62 - Football is better here.
