For This Professor, Blood is Thicker Than Ice (Breakers)

Whether your professor kicks off the year by asking your favorite movie, or by asking you to spill blood on behalf of your clan, this semester is sure to be a good one.

Illustration by Morgan Wittmers-Graves

With every semester, new unfamiliarities arise that need getting used to: new class schedules, new seats to claim for the semester, and, of course, new classmates. Many students bemoan the tired, “Did you do anything fun this summer?” and alliterative name games. Meanwhile, one professor has a different idea to shake up the humdrum new semester proceedings in a charmingly renewed way. Professor William Ingwerson of the Medieval Studies Department has opted out of the traditional pleasantries of ice breakers and into an activity more suited to his area of study and teaching style, a traditional Hungarian Blood Oath.

“In the twelfth century, Scythian tribal leaders would fortify their bonds through bloodletting into a single chalice of wine while reciting ancient proverbs. The tribes would then proceed to drink from the chalice and rejoice in the will of their brethren. I thought this could be a fun little way to shake off those end-of-summer blues and start to consider our community of learning our own tribe of sorts!” Ingwerson says.

Ingwerson’s ice breaker has received mixed reviews, with many questioning the sanitation of the practice. “Man, I’ve already been through Hell Week as a pledge. This was a little much,” says sophomore Wyatt Simmons, turning slightly pale. Boynton Clinic Health professionals cannot be reached for comment at this time.

Others have been more receptive to the ritual, praising the sense of community it has inspired. “Put aside your sprinkler, priest, and your litanies! No, priest, Satan does not retreat!” raves freshman Jessica Massey. Whether your professor kicks off the year by asking your favorite movie, or by asking you to spill blood on behalf of your clan, this semester is sure to be a good one. Go Gophers!