Reviewed by: Elizabeth Hobbs
The fun story behind UNA’s Lucky Dip tradition—pranks, good luck + more
Reading time: 5 minutes
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Recently, we hit the road for Florence and got to witness one of the most unique university traditions in the state.
Read on to learn how a prank became a tradition and why thousands of students dip their pencils in the fountain every year at The University of North Alabama.
Pranking freshmen UNA students
UNA’s beloved tradition started in 2013 when student orientation counselors played a harmless prank on freshman students. They told them that if they dipped their pencils in UNA’s Harrison Fountain on the first day of class, they would have good luck that semester—they may even be guaranteed a 4.0
Expecting a no-show, the counselors headed to the fountain on the first day of class. To their surprise and amusement, they witnessed students dipping their pencils into the fountain.
Matthew and Anna Leigh were part of this 2013 group of student counselors. They had no clue at the time that this tradition would integrate itself into UNA’s culture and campus life in the years to come.
“We never referred to it as the Lucky Dip—the name came years later.
When we saw the students dipping their pencils into the fountain, our team joined in as well to bring uniformity. We didn’t realize until a couple of years after we graduated that it would actually become a campus tradition.”
Matthew Jones, Director of Student Activities + Leadership Development, UNA
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Becoming the Lucky Dip
In 2014, KeKoria Greer ran for SGA president with the platform of campus traditions. She noticed the success of the informal ‘Lucky Dip’ the year before. Seeing the need for more traditions at UNA, she folded the Lucky Dip into her platform and made it an official event when elected.
Ten years later, the Lucky Dip is now the ultimate first-day-of-class party, featuring vendors, DJs, photo booths, giant inflatable pencils and more.
Anna Leigh and Matthew both shared with me what the Lucky Dip means to campus life:
“It’s synonymous with the first day of class and one of those things you’ll always remember. It adds a special nostalgia to your first day of class, and fast forward four years, and you’ll say, ‘It’s my last lucky dip.’
I remember doing the Lucky Dip my first year as a sophomore and then coming back to UNA for grad school and doing it again, thinking, ‘I need all the luck I can get.'”
Anna Leigh Rossi, Fraternity + Sorority Life Director, UNA
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“The Lucky Dip is a chance to reshift your focus on the first day and realize you have a campus and community supporting you, excited for you to have good luck—whatever that means for you.
For me, with joining UNA full-time on staff now, the Lucky Dip has come full circle. This fall was my first time seeing the official version of it.”
Matthew Jones, Director of Student Activities + Leadership Development, UNA
Light the Fountain: Another UNA campus tradition
The Lucky Dip isn’t the only UNA tradition centered around the fountain. In 2016, when Dr. Ken Kitts, UNA’s president, woke up one morning in his house located on campus, he noticed that the fountain was back on after being off due to construction.
It was a lightbulb moment for him. He realized how emblematic it would be to have an annual event that signifies the turning on of the fountain.
He started Light the Fountain in 2016, and now it’s grown into a huge event, showcasing a pep rally, fireworks, DJs, food and more.
Event details:
- March 13, 2025, from 6:30-9PM
- Schedule:
- 6:30PM: Music + food
- 7:00PM: T-shirt giveaway
- 7:15PM: Pep Rally
- 7:30PM: Light the Fountain Ceremony
- 7:45–9:00PM: Celebration continues with music + dancing
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Why UNA?
Matthew and Anna Leigh’s UNA experiences were marked by the Lucky Dip, but the university’s impact on them goes much deeper.
“I came to UNA from out of state and didn’t know anyone. After college, I moved away and worked for a while but now have come back to make UNA and Florence my home again.
When you’re on campus, you feel that this place is different. It’s so special.
The university is large enough where you can do the typical college activities like go to football games and join a fraternity/sorority, but it’s small enough to have a personal touch.”
Anna Leigh Rossi, Fraternity + Sorority Life Director, UNA
“One of my favorite things about UNA are the opportunities to get involved. Even if students aren’t interested in traditional groups like SGA and orientation counselors, they can find almost any club on campus that fits their interest. And if one doesn’t exist, they can start it.
Our campus extends so far beyond its borders and meshes with vibrant downtown Florence. There are so many opportunities for students to have fun and be successful.”
Matthew Jones, Director of Student Activities + Leadership Development, UNA
Get in on the fun—schedule a tour of UNA.
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