When you combine thousands of young adults into nearly 2,000 acres of IU Bloomington’s campus, you are bound to hear some interesting stories. Here are some of IU’s weirdest traditions, ranked from the most well-known to the best-kept secrets.
Herman B Wells statue handshake
One of the most famous traditions on IU’s campus is shaking hands with the Herman B Wells statue located near the Rose Well House and Owen Hall. The statue depicts the 11th president and first chancellor of IU on a bench, with his hand extended out, commemorating the accomplishments Wells brought to the university.
The tradition, passed down each year to new students, goes like this: Before an exam or semester, if a student shakes Wells’ hand, they will be gifted with academic success and luck.
Whether it actually works is up for debate, but it never hurts to take your chances with a bronze handshake.
Eskenazi's color show
Another common IU tradition involves the IU Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art. Every night, students can expect the Light Totem, an art piece created by Rob Shakespeare, to display an array of color on the exterior museum wall.
During welcome week, you’ll see students lying on the ground, with their feet against the wall to watch the color show in action. It’s the only art show on campus where the concrete is the best seat in the house.
Ghost Walk
Fall is one of the most beautiful times to be on campus. Alongside the changing leaves, you can catch the annual Ghost Walk. Created and hosted by the IU Folklore and Ethnomusicology Student Association, the tradition takes students on a tour across campus, telling spooky stories and legends of IU.
The tradition is relatively new, starting about 14 years ago and returning every October. Think of it as a IU history class, just with better lighting — or worse, depending on how you look at it.
Rose Well House kiss
When two people love each other very much, you might find them in the Rose Well House, one of the oldest remaining structures on IU’s campus. Built in 1908, it was originally made over a cistern, or an underground container made to store and supply water, but quickly became a place to hang for young couples.
Legend has it that couples who share a kiss inside the house at the stroke of midnight are destined to be together for life. Love may be blind, but apparently, it’s also very punctual.
Hep’s Rock
Behind the north end zone of Memorial Stadium sits a limestone boulder known as “Hep’s Rock,” a tradition deeply rooted in IU football. The limestone rock, initially called “The Rock,” was changed to “Hep’s Rock” to commemorate former IU football coach Terry Hoeppner, who died in 2007.
The rock is believed to symbolize the team’s strengths and unity, and at each home game, IU football players and coaches touch the rock before taking the field. Fans with a Hoosier Pregame Pass can tour the stadium and see the rock up close — just don’t try to take it home as a souvenir.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student's spring 2026 Source Campus Visitor's Guide.
