Painting the M

#Mizzou19 takes part in a campus tradition.

Every year during Fall Welcome, incoming Tigers paint the Rock M at Memorial Stadium, a tradition that began in 1927. This year students used nearly 250 gallons of white paint to cover the M. Some took home souvenir rocks to commemorate the experience. Others took the opportunity to kiss the 50-yard line, a newer tradition. The Mizzou Alumni Association hosts Paint the M with Student Life/New Student Program and Athletics.

Fall Welcome events continue all weekend. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 24.

Giant M surrounded by students.

A tradition continues Friday as Mizzou freshmen paint the Rock M in Memorial Stadium.

Students painting the M with white paint.

Freshmen tigers earn their stripes painting.

Students taking cell phone photos on the field.

Amanda Henderson, Ryan Gambino and Jill Murray have a photo session on the Faurot Field 50-yard-line before painting.

Students throwing paint across the rocks.

White paint flies as freshmen try a spray-paint technique.

Students with white paint on their faces

Truman Kinsey and Kacey Ellwein document their face paintings.

Student drawing on a rock.

Sidney Stillman details a rock souvenir.

Souvenir rock.

Freshmen were given souvenir rocks as keepsakes.

Student's hands covered in paint.

Hannah Archamault tries finger painting the Rock M.

Subscribe to

Show Me Mizzou

Stay up-to-date with the latest news by subscribing to the Show Me Mizzou newsletter.

Subscribe