Incoming students have likely heard about the many traditions that take place across the Midwestern State University campus. One in particular, which has a direct impact on prospective MSU graduates, is the curse of the MSU Seal. Between campus tours, Mustangs Roundup Week, and word around campus, the legend is a notable part of the MSU student experience.

The MSU Seal was an addition to the center of the Clark Student Center Atrium in 1997. While the seal is a beautiful detail of the Clark building that serves as a symbol of the university and its rich history, it’s believed to hold more power than it may appear.

University legend has it that students who walk across the seal will not graduate on time. Students should instead walk around the seal, and if they accidentally step on it, the only way to reverse the curse is to hurry to D.L. Ligon Coliseum and touch the Believers statue located there.

Vincent Peter, an A Team tour guide for the Student Welcome Center, said he’s given tours and witnessed both prospective students who believed in the curse and took it seriously, and those who rolled their eyes at it. However, he couldn’t say whether those who didn’t take it seriously actually had the nerve to step on the seal.

“Many of us have joked about doing it ourselves, but no one dare tries it,” Peter said. “I fortunately haven't met any of its victims, but there are staff and faculty members who have assured me that it exists. I have also heard stories from other students of the curse victims and them eventually doing the rush to the statue to get rid of it.”

This is one of the many well-known traditions of the MSU Texas campus. The curse has been discussed across campus for the past two decades. It is unknown exactly when and how the tradition began, but many believe the mystery around it is what makes it so alluring. What is known is the history the seal embodies.