Mimosa Memories

Celebrating 70 Years of Tradition

Sep 18 2024 - 4:17pm

By: Samantha Regalado

Mimosa is the annual school event that everyone eagerly anticipates each spring. We ask out our potential plus-ones, dress up for the night, and look forward to an unforgettable occasion. But unless your grandparents went to SWAU, you may not have heard how this tradition began. Let's take a moment to reflect on the humble beginnings of Mimosa and the story of the tree that inspired it all.

Originally known as "Mimosa Memories," the event was first held in 1955 as the final school gathering of the year for Southwestern Junior College, now Southwestern Adventist University. The theme for that inaugural banquet was a spring garden, and it took place on Sunday, May 22. Students dressed in their finest attire were greeted by the soft glow of Japanese lanterns that lit up the lawn. Vibrant flowers adorned the area, enhancing the beauty of the night. Standing tall beside the event was a majestic Mimosa tree-the only one on campus. It was this tree that inspired the event's name, becoming a symbol of the springtime celebration. With 400 attendees expected, the evening was filled with music and selections that celebrated the arrival of spring. The following year, a new tradition was added-the crowning of the Courtesy King and Queen for the school year.

As the years went by, Mimosa Memories continued to be a cherished tradition. In 1959, the event opened with a charming surrey, inviting the audience to take a stroll through the park. A ladies' trio serenaded the guests, ending their song as they were escorted by derby-hatted SJC gentlemen. Later, a duet performed "Don't Sit Under the Mimosa Tree with Anyone but Me." The night was filled with performances, including a unique scene where ladies in red and green formed the petals of a spotlighted rose that opened slowly as four policemen sang. The event was rich with music, storytelling, and the lively spirit of the student body.

However, the story of the Mimosa tree took a bittersweet turn in the 1960s. As the campus expanded, the administration made the decision to build the Findley Administration Building, now one of the oldest buildings on campus. Tragically, this meant uprooting and cutting down the Mimosa tree-a tree that had not only been a beautiful centerpiece of the campus but also the inspiration for an event that has lasted for decades. The loss of the tree marked the end of an era, but the spirit of Mimosa Memories lived on. The event was moved to the Botanic Gardens, and though the original Mimosa tree was gone, the students remained committed to preserving the charm and tradition that the tree had inspired.

Seventy years have passed since Mimosa began, and while the event has evolved, the tradition remains deeply cherished. We may no longer have a Mimosa tree standing near. But we hold onto the name and memory.