St. Cloud State University Poem

Posted on July 22, 2024 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

*St. Cloud State University*

It is a Husky Day in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Neighboring the Beaver Islands, our school spirit is supported by a
Blizzard
of red and black
that twists with our Huskies in a Minnesota snowstorm…
The origins of which can be traced back to
Mainstreet—
Where the Huskies
First meet;
Now the force has progressed in a
St. Cloud City Parade and in a
Lemonade Concert with crafts made of our wild spirits
and then our wild spirits makes its craft out of hockey
in the National Hockey Center.

Then the craft goes wild.

Cheering on Olympians like Bret Hedican and WCHA Player of the Year, Drew LeBlanc, our Hockey represents the Husky tradition:
We are up for any challenge.
Engage the world by challenging yourself….
Just because life is bigger than you,
Doesn’t mean you can’t take it on.

At St. Cloud, you are given real-world education so that you are equipped for this ongoing fight…

Education for Life.

From Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest
You can read the full four-volume Alma Mater collection here.
Copyright © 2014 Clyde Aidoo

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Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Poem

Posted on July 21, 2024 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

*Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota*

What kind of student will you be?
What kind of leader will you be?
God gave your being the capacity to become—
Not to merely be.
Through His charism we are adorned with virtue,
And serene with the spread of true men,
Beneath the knowledge and rock of great family men
Lies the granite devotion of a woman…
That shouldn’t be taken for granted,
but rather
Due Granted.
St. Mary’s University endows this virtue
Into the Lasallian service
&
Our Cardinals lead as Christian Brothers
To strengthen society with the powers
of Mothers.

From Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest
You can read the full four-volume Alma Mater collection here.
Copyright © 2014 Clyde Aidoo

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Posted in Alma Mater, Poetry

University of St. Thomas Poem

Posted on July 21, 2024 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

*St. Thomas*

UST is the heart of Trust,
In St. Thomas, our light thrusts—
Illuminating the world is better than to shine,
The divine credit is neither yours nor mine.
The charity of God began in the earth’s crust,
With St. Thomas’ foundation—This is our shrine,
Devoted to serve by pushing ourselves,
Toiling with study and working our shelves,
For living well is tantamount to working well,
Restless activity for every man to dwell—
Together through work where every man delves
In a harbor of healing—where the grief fell.
A world reunited with the harmony of stars,
Sharing possessions—healing the scars
Of wounded extremities where anguish lives,
Love is the charity that counts not what it gives.
The measure of a man is the injustice he bars
By changing our world with the faith that he lives.

From Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest
You can read the full four-volume Alma Mater collection here.
Copyright © 2014 Clyde Aidoo

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Posted in Alma Mater, Poetry

University of Minnesota Poem

Posted on July 20, 2024 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

*University of Minnesota*

Minnesota is blessed with water in acres,
Our many lakes and skyscrapers make us great,
We run through our mills and life’s purity distilled:

This is the Gopher State.

Over 10,000 lakes form the Land of Sky-Blue Waters,
Between the Mississippi are campuses on either bank,
The U of M is the Gateway to guarded history,
A better school, to be sure—to be frank.
With America’s mall and state fair at our shoulders,
We shrug off the boasts of all the other burgs,
The school of Twin Cities is the wedge of opportunity,
Taking full swing like our own Patty Berg.

An F5 of pride rolls across the Wash’ Ave’ Bridge,
Onto the East Bank of TCF and Will’ Arena,
Among the affected is the stock in the Barnyard,
Rabid Gophers with the fervor of hyenas.
Craving Big Ten Basketball and Big Ten Football,
We outwrestle competition in the name of tradition;
We defend our border from Badgers at all costs,
To this conviction we will wage our tuition.

When the Maroon and Gold is in the fold,
Take it all in, have a seat, and snag a scene,
Then read on the changes of student expression
In the latest issue of The Wake Magazine.
They may catch up on our news but not our chemistry,
Our chem-engineering turns molecules to modules
That fuels new concepts that react to overdue process
Converting life science into modern rules.

We’re pioneers, frontiers, and centennial men,
Global women of the Superblock and this community,
Who lend a hand to hear talented local bands,
Service provided for betterment,
Not self-impunity.
Time at the U illuminates many local paths,
Shedding light to guide youths through all the fray,
We guide our own and build tunnels for the next passage,
And say:

That is the Gopher Way.

From Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest
You can read the full four-volume Alma Mater collection here.
Copyright © 2014 Clyde Aidoo

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Posted in Alma Mater, Poetry

Michigan State University Poem

Posted on July 19, 2024 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

*Michigan State*

MSU entrants travel cross-country across the Red Cedar River of East Lansing to reach the epitome of the college experience.
They are greeted by abundant trees, winding roads, and gothic architecture beyond the forested corridors. At the intersection of Chestnut and Kalamazoo, south of the Cedar River, they meet
The Spartan.
It is at this junction when entrants, guests, and intruders alike realize that
This is the Spartan State—Not Wolverine Country.
Prowlers will not prance. Only
Real Spartans Advance.
Transforming Lives by Advancing Knowledge.
We preserve energy for essential encounters and destroy the hazardous pollution of reservation to defend this land.
Proceed, New Entrants! Maintain this Environment!
Go Green.

Spartans, Stand Strong
on this land your ancestors built.
This pioneer land grants students with the exploration of nuclear physics, osteopathic medicine, industrial and organizational psychology, and we continue forward in our advancement of knowledge by placing only the nation’s best new teachers in the elementary and secondary classrooms. We rehabilitate distressed minds that have lost their ways so that they, too, can advance to their goals. Say it Loud:

We Are Spartans!

Led by Sparty we fill the Spartan Stadium with Spartan Pride—

You are now surrounded by the Spartan Army.

In Breslin, where the winner is determined by determination,
You will know
the
Spartan Will.

There is magic in this storied center. With a rich basketball tradition, we have hoisted 13 Big Ten championships and two national championships.
We tried to send out a raven to tell the world of our conquers,
but
Our Magic killed The Bird.

Fear the Spartans.

Take heed of the army going down the downtown strip.
This is a Greek community of over 50 organizations.
We started as the 300,
now over
3,000 in this Greek Nation…

And that still leaves over 40,000 thirsty Spartans ready to fill their cups.

Our Spartans spread out across the globe in their pursuits of educational dominance more than any institution in this nation. We also fight from home to keep the peace abroad. We fight against South African apartheid and for worldwide freedom
While defending the political advancement of this great country.

We believe change starts here in this miraculous institution.

And we vow not to stop at the pages of the Red Cedar Log. No, our journey is just beginning.
Young warriors, when you surmount your beloved institution, and graduate to the vast, intimidating world at your feet. Do not let these tears slow you down…

Spartans,

Go Forth

From Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest
You can read the full four-volume Alma Mater collection here.
Copyright © 2014 Clyde Aidoo

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Posted in Alma Mater, Poetry

Eastern Michigan University Poem

Posted on July 19, 2024 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

*Eastern Michigan University*

SWOOP DOWN!
(clap-clap)
SWOOP DOWN!
(clap-clap)
SWOOP DOWN!
(clap-clap)
SWOOP DOWN!
(clap-clap)
SWOOP DOWN!
And LAND! In the land of Green and White!
SWOOP DOWN!
You Eagles and FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!!
SWOOP DOWN!
But don’t ever let your feet touch the ground!
SWOOP DOWN!
You’re flying with the Eastern Eagles Now!

Hear that call? That’s the Eastern Echo:
Here we go—
Here we go again.
Do you hear that call? That’s the Eagle Echo:
I said
Here we go—
Here we go again.

Eastern Eagles grew again,
New Eagles—
Movin’ in,
Move-in Magic—
Make a friend,
Share Fajitas and blend on in.
Make a splash like our swimming team—
In Olds-Robb in a
Stream of Green.
Stay on the green like cash machines,
We stay high on green—
Green Fiends.
Green & White is our way of life
And this Green & White
Is our way to life,
If we told you once, we told you twice:
An Eagle echoes:
His whole life.
Swoop Down, Eastern, and
Shake the Ground;
We kept the Huron strength—
Now let it sound.
If we told you once, we told you twice,
An Eagle’s Echo lasts
Their whole life.

From Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest
You can read the full four-volume Alma Mater collection here.
Copyright © 2014 Clyde Aidoo

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Posted in Alma Mater, Poetry

Western Michigan University Poem

Posted on July 18, 2024 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

*Western Michigan University*

🎵 Kalamazoo is the only place Broncos
Fly with the best,
Galloping Pride,
when we die—we can rest.
Until we reach the sky,
We’ll keep on Galloping High—
with
Brown and Gold
Bronco Pride.

It’s fall. Time for the Bronco Bash:
Here comes the Stampede—
Ready to Crash
The dorms on Main Campus and also the Valleys,
Then to brown-eyed Susans at Stewart Tower we rally.
New Broncos are set to mark their hash
On WMU Fields with a zeal no census can tally.
Soon these new legs will be the head honchos
And keep galloping in the name of Western Michigan.
Alas, now wrapped around Grand Rapids and all Michigan—
Are the runs of these
Epic Broncos.

🎵 Kalamazoo is the only place Broncos
Fly with the best,
Galloping Pride,
when we die—we can rest.
Until we reach the sky,
We’ll keep on Galloping High—
with
Brown and Gold
Bronco Pride.

🎵 WMU is the only place Broncos
Fly with the best,
Galloping Pride,
when we die—we can rest.
Until we reach the sky,
We’ll keep Galloping High—
with
Brown and Gold
Bronco Pride.

It’s Saturday. Time to fill up these bars:
Here comes the Stampede.
Kalamazoo nightlife is something special,
Every establishment seems to have a special.
We exchange beers at the KBE,
Waldo’s, Wild Bull, Grotto, The Roadhouse,
On to Y-Bar then off to Stadium Drive,
Then to the Village to pillage a Frat House.
We don’t waste our minds; we also go to Shakespeare’s Pub,
Wasted out of our minds like a 4th string sub.
To be or not to be….
Wait,
What was the question?
All I know is to be anywhere other than Western—
Is way
Out of the question.

🎵 Kalamazoo is the only place Broncos
Fly with the best,
Galloping Pride,
when we die—we can rest.
Until we reach the sky,
We’ll keep on Galloping High—
with
Brown and Gold
Bronco Pride.

🎵 WMU is the only place Broncos
Fly with the best,
Galloping Pride,
when we die—we can rest.
Until we reach the sky,
We’ll keep on
Galloping High—
with
Brown and Gold
Bronco Pride.

From Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest
You can read the full four-volume Alma Mater collection here.
Copyright © 2014 Clyde Aidoo

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Posted in Alma Mater, Poetry

Northern Michigan University Poem

Posted on July 18, 2024 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

*NMU*

At the heart of Northern Michigan is
A mound of flowers and shrubs laid in the colors found inside all of us—
&
Radiating in our great outdoors.
We are the North Wind of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,
Wildcats who have followed White Rocks to stand inspired by our mountain trails and scenic coastline. The warm sand and crystal blue water are accompanied by the knowing breeze where at the summit of nature’s bask—
We Crash.
Jet skiing in the wind in a confrontation with what we know is Superior—
In a submission that is rendered in a thrill.
Marquette is a place for nature lovers
&
Northern Michigan is the site for nature’s lovers;
In this getaway of beaches, parkways, and meditation:
This is a lover’s
four-year vacation.
In these hearts are the sediments
found in our mound & renewed in this refreshing town;
These pulse-bracing heights leap from within & without….
It is
Northern.
Naturally.

From Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest
You can read the full four-volume Alma Mater collection here.
Copyright © 2014 Clyde Aidoo

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Posted in Alma Mater, Poetry

Wayne State University Poem

Posted on July 18, 2024 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

*Wayne State University*

There’s a new line coming in this fall,
Let’s see how fast this thing goes.
In these four years it’s pedal to the metal,
Our speed doesn’t tire through the reels of the roads.
30,000 Warriors collide,
Burning
Green and Gold—
Until Wayne State rolls through Detroit Rock City,
Then together
We’ll arrive at our goals.

Before long,
We’ll look back at all these fast times
bent to old times,
And know that in Wayne State—
We made the right decision…
We drove ourselves to a critical impact,
Without a memory lost
To the collision.

From Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest
You can read the full four-volume Alma Mater collection here.
Copyright © 2014 Clyde Aidoo

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Posted in Alma Mater, Poetry

Michigan Tech Poem

Posted on July 17, 2024 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

My, what lakes the mind can surf
With all the discoveries
We find;
At Michigan Tech, we inspect global turf,
The Land of Opportunity:
We mine.
We build ice sculptures from creative fires—
Husky Fires
Glow in the snow,
The Houghton icescape is
The Great Escape,
A Winter Carnival
The Huskies know.
This is a safe haven for a Parade of Nations
Waving their heritage with gold salutations;
K-Day, Hockey, Skating, and Love, are some of
Houghton’s oldest celebrations.
Celebrate your curiosity,
Celebrate yourself,
Celebrate the purity of Michigan
Itself,
Drink another beer, then down another seven,
Drink while you can,
There’s no Beers in Heaven.
Here’s to Engineers
Who will lead the recovery
of
The Land of Opportunity
for
Generations of Discovery.

From Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest
You can read the full four-volume Alma Mater collection here.
Copyright © 2014 Clyde Aidoo

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Posted in Alma Mater, Poetry