Discover the Top 8 Entertaining and Surprising Fun Facts About UMass Amherst

1. Nickname Evolution

From "Redmen" to "Minutemen," with a dash of "ZooMass" for flavor: UMass Amherst has sported a plethora of nicknames over the years, including "UMies" and "Minutemen," a switch from the controversial "Redmen." To top it off, their marching band goes by "Bandos," and Stockbridge alumni proudly claim the title "Aggies."
Source => umass.edu

2. Mascot Switch-up

Before Minutemen came marching in, controversy wore the warpaint at UMass Amherst: The university changed its mascot from the racially stereotyped "Redmen" to the less controversial "Minutemen" in 1972 after facing backlash from Native American students and a resolution from the Student Senate.
Source => dailycollegian.com

Did you know UMass Amherst changed its nickname from "Redmen" to "Minutemen" and has a marching band called "Bandos"? Discover more fun nicknames and their origins! 🏈🥁

=> Fun Facts about Umass-Amherst

3. Magical Green Thumbs

Forget Hogwarts' Herbology class – UMass Amherst's students earn their green thumbs without the fear of Mandrakes: At the UMass Student Farm, a 20-acre certified organic vegetable farm, students from diverse majors gain hands-on agricultural experience, shaping a healthier food system while earning academic credits and summer employment opportunities, with all revenue reinvested for future farm fun.
Source => umass.edu

4. Academic Super Squad

UMass Amherst plays the ultimate game of "I have a friend from college" while holding all the aces up its sleeve: Part of the Five College Consortium, UMass Amherst partners with Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College to let students tap into a supergroup of academic resources, joint departments, and inter-campus collaboration, forming an avowed high-society of scholastic excellence committed to making the world a better place.
Source => umass.edu

5. Culinary Wizards Unite

If Hogwarts had a college of culinary wizardry, UMass Amherst would be the place where students learn 'Expelliarmus' to disarm food critics: UMass Amherst holds the prestigious title of #1 university in the Best Campus Food category by The Princeton Review for six years running, boasting the largest collegiate dining program in the country, featuring locally sourced ingredients, and innovative dining experiences under the enchanting guidance of executive director Ken Toong.
Source => umass.edu

6. Dorm Life: The Homecoming

If UMass Amherst were a reality TV show, it'd be called "Dorm Life: The Homecoming": With around 12,700 residents, it boasts the third-largest on-campus living population in the U.S., spanning seven different areas, and even guaranteeing housing to upper-class students who've stuck around since freshman year!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Creative Ice Cream Puns

Scooping up puns, one flavor at a time: Herrell's Ice Cream in Amherst, MA is known for offering over 400 creative and fun flavors on their ever-changing menu. Owner Judy Herrell comes up with these delightful treats, inspired by customer suggestions, loved ones, and even the occasional joke. Some wild concoctions include collaborations with preserve makers and dandelions–talk about diversi-cone! While founder Steve Herrell (a UMass Amherst alum) started with the classic Steve's Ice Cream in Somerville, there's no direct connection between the university and the tasty treasure that is Herrell's Ice Cream.
Source => gazettenet.com

8. Science Major Shenanigans

Why did the science major cross the road? To get to their iCons class, of course! Filled with problem solving shenanigans, leadership wizardry, and innovation magic: UMass Amherst's Integrated Concentration in Science (iCons) program spells success for undergraduates in the College of Natural Sciences by making them champions of interdisciplinary collaboration, armed with skills to tackle global scientific problems and a shiny certificate with their name on it.
Source => cns.umass.edu