Schiller: The Silliest (And Sneakiest?) Carleton Tradition
Abrar explores the origins of a uniquely Carleton tradition and highlights some of the ways it's made itself known on campus and beyond.
Abrar explores the origins of a uniquely Carleton tradition and highlights some of the ways it's made itself known on campus and beyond.
The A Carleton Tradition
At Carleton, there’s one name that always gets a reaction: Schiller. No, not the German philosopher (although technically, yes), I’m talking about the Schiller bust. A slightly battered, rather mysterious plaster head that’s been part of Carleton’s identity for over 70 years. It’s not put up on a podium or displayed in a fancy hall. Instead, it’s secretly passed around, stolen, hidden and revealed in the most absurd ways imaginable.
History of Schiller
According to Carleton’s sesquicentennial website, Schiller’s journey started back in 1957. Originally, the bust sat in Scoville Library as part of a literary display. That changed when student Bruce Herrick discovered it in storage and decided it would make great room decor. A year later, it briefly sat on the mantle of his off-campus house before another group of students “liberated” it and from there, a legendary tradition was born. Ever since, Schiller has been stealthily stolen, hidden, and revealed in dramatic public appearances.
Schiller Sightings
Since then Schiller has become (one of) Carleton’s unofficial mascots. He makes quick, surprise appearances at big campus events, sports games, graduation and sometimes even during spontaneous gatherings on the Bald Spot. Students sprint through the crowd, Schiller held high above their heads, before disappearing again to hide him from the next would-be “thieves.”
Some of Schiller’s cameos have become the stuff of campus legend. Beyond Carleton, Schiller has:
- Been lowered from a helicopter during a Carleton vs St. Olaf football game –
- Made a surprise appearance with Bill Clinton –
- Showed up on national TV during The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert –
- Made it onto the series finale of Desperate Housewives, yes, really –
- Been featured on MSNBC with Jonathan Capeheart, a Carleton alum.
The Spirit of the Tradition
What makes Schiller special is that it’s 100% student-driven. No official rules, no permission required, just a continuous tradition of fun. To me Schiller is a sign of Carleton’s playful spirit, a reminder that even at an academically intense school, we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
And the best part is you never know when you’ll see Schiller. You might be walking across campus or attending a huge event and suddenly, there he is. Some students spend their whole four years without ever seeing Schiller in person, others get lucky (or involved) and help plan a reveal. Either way, the legend is always alive.
Abrar (he/him) is a junior Economics and Computer Science double major from Dhaka, Bangladesh. He loves Carleton’s intercultural energy and is especially drawn to spaces where students from all backgrounds come together to solve real-world problems, or just vibe over late-night snacks. Outside of class, he’s involved in Club Rugby, FC, research, and campus admissions. His favorite places on campus are Sayles (for the energy) and the Lower Arb (for the peace). He’s a big fan of cold weather, long walks, and deep conversations about life, faith, or which country has the best mangoes. When not in class, you can usually find him designing something, planning a trip, or pretending not to be stressed about the future.