A fraternity pledge, a World Series-winning pitcher, a quirky bridge measurement, chaotic intramurals, and a prank-loving talk show host.
This collection of educational trivia is just a taste of what ZinkerzCamp students will experience as we explore Boston’s academic gems. This blog kicks off a two-part series highlighting the schools our campers will visit. Trust us—this is just the tip of the iceberg. Sign up for ZinkerzCamp and dive into the full experience!
Boston-Area Schools
MIT
In 2011, the word smoot made its way into the dictionary. The story began in 1958, when MIT’s Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity asked pledge Oliver Smoot to measure the Harvard Bridge by somersaulting across it. His “measurement” became legendary, and the bridge is still measured in Smoots today. Each year, pledges repaint the markings, and it’s tradition to chant “Smoot” when driving across.
Northeastern University
Northeastern honors baseball legend Cy Young with a statue on campus. Young, who led the Red Sox to their first World Series, pitched at Huntington Avenue Grounds—now Northeastern’s campus. The school is also home to Matthews Arena, the world’s oldest ice hockey rink still in use.
Boston University
BU’s mascot, Rhett the Terrier, takes his name from Gone With the Wind’s Rhett Butler. Beyond mascots, BU is home to a beloved (and chaotic) intramural sport: broomball. Picture ice hockey meets curling, but with sneakers instead of skates and modified lacrosse sticks instead of brooms. Winning is optional—fun is required.
Boston College
Technically, BC’s teams could have been the “Newton University Hawks.” Their mascot came from a hawk rescued during a storm, but the school stuck with the eagle name. Today, their live mascot, Welles, makes appearances at football games to cheer on the Eagles.
Harvard
Harvard is rich in legends—from the Titanic tragedy that inspired the Widener Library to the John Harvard statue riddled with inaccuracies. But one of the funniest tales? Conan O’Brien’s college prank. After stealing construction equipment, he called the police on himself, which led to an unexpected night in jail.
Brown University
Brown takes its name from Nicholas Brown, who donated $5,000 in 1804. Its famous “Open Curriculum” lets students build their own course load without traditional core requirements, giving them total freedom to explore their passions.
Bentley University
Bentley is all about business—and boasts one of the world’s largest business libraries. Students get hands-on experience solving real-world problems through internships and collaborations with major companies, all supported by cutting-edge campus resources.
Babson College
Babson is an entrepreneurship powerhouse. Its programs are designed to turn ideas into action, encouraging innovation, risk-taking, and real-world startup experience. With strong ties to the global entrepreneurial community, Babson is where future business leaders are built.
Brandeis University
Founded by the Jewish community, Brandeis welcomes students from all backgrounds. Known for its commitment to social justice, it offers programs across the arts, humanities, and sciences while encouraging critical thinking and global perspectives.
Tufts University
Tufts combines global perspectives with academic strength in international relations, humanities, and sciences. The collaborative campus culture encourages students to tackle big problems together, whether through research, activism, or cross-disciplinary projects.
Conclusion
Will one of these schools be your next home? Did any of these stories spark your curiosity? Join us this summer at ZinkerzCamp for a firsthand experience of Boston’s incredible schools!
