"We Build on Christ"
Engraved on Merrill Tower, this phrase reminds us of how Doane got its start through the efforts of the local Congregational pastor and Thomas Doane, chief engineer of the Burlington Railroad. Doane maintains its relationship with the church, now called the United Church of Christ (UCC). Doane serves as the representative institution for the Nebraska, Rocky Mountain, Kansas-Oklahoma and South Dakota conferences of the UCC. Doane is open to students of every Christian denomination and adherents of other religions, as well as those who profess no formal religion.
First-Year Candlelighting Ceremony & Commencement
Cassel Open Air Theatre is where students start and end their years at Doane. A candlelight vigil for first-year students is held outdoors in the same spot they will be four years later during their graduation ceremony.
Doane Songs
"Merrill Will Ring Tonight"
Doane's "Old Main," Merrill Hall, burned down February 28, 1969. Merrill Tower now stands in its place. At the top of the tower is an exact copy of the bell which would ring after Doane would win a home football game in the late 1800s and early 1900s. "Merrill Will Ring Tonight" is still sung at football games and graduation.
Stop Day
On a surprise day each spring, the Student Congress president is allowed to call off classes. Originally, Stop Day was planned to allow time for students to perform community service activities and clean-up campus. Today, classes are cancelled for the day, allowing students time to relax, enjoy games and activities, and mentally prepare for final exams.
Fulbright Scholars
Doane's history of Fulbright Scholarship recipients dates back to the mid-1940s. This national and international federal program allows Fulbright recipients the opportunity to work and learn in another country with pay for a full year, extending their learning beyond a four-year degree. To date, Doane has 46 Fulbright Scholars.
The Doane Owl
"The Owl" is the student newspaper on the Crete campus. It is the oldest college newspaper in the state (first printing was on February 28, 1874).