Caltech's Cannon Headed Back to Pasadena from MIT

PASADENA, Calif.-Caltech students have "re-stolen" their cannon from MIT.

The cannon, which is normally located in front of Fleming House, a dorm on the Caltech campus, was stolen by MIT students March 28, transported cross-country, and placed on display in front of the Green Building on the MIT campus in Cambridge last week (with a huge MIT class ring installed on it).

A group of 23 Caltech students met up with seven Caltech alumni at MIT over the weekend and quickly "stole" the 100-plus-year-old, 3-ton cannon back (sans the class ring, which MIT students removed).

The students began to plan their caper last Thursday-as soon as they knew the cannon was at MIT-flew out Sunday morning, and pulled the prank Monday morning.

It its place, they left a miniature cannon under glass and a note signed by Fleming House President Scott Jordan. (Note: students spell House Hovse because it is chiseled into their dorm façade in the old Latin style). The note read, "Last week, Fleming Hovse became personally entangled in the friendly rivalry between the California and other Institutes of Technology. Fleming Hovse has many proud traditions and memorabilia spanning 73 years. The Fleming Cannon is one of these traditions and today we demonstrate the dedication we possess to protect them. Over the span of the last five days, Fleming undergrads and alums have executed with inspiring haste the recovery of our beloved cannon. While we will be pleased to see the cannon's return, Fleming Hovse now has renewed investment in the Caltech response. Another of Fleming Hovse's traditions is the motto, 'Let the Deed Shaw' (archaic for 'Let the Deed Show'). Today our deeds have done just that, and we vow that our further actions will speak louder than these words."

"The cannon means a lot to us. We treat the cannon with a lot of respect. It's a piece of history, and we don't want it anywhere else but at Caltech," said a very tired Jordan, 22, a junior mechanical engineering student at Caltech. "It all happened very quickly. Given the fact that it was rushed, I think it was great."

An MIT website stated that the "Howe & Ser Moving Company," which moved the cannon to Cambridge, was inviting the campus to an official sendoff of the Caltech cannon. "Our company has recently been informed that Fleming House is at MIT RIGHT NOW and is prepared to take back their cannon. Although we're sad to see it go, we were only contracted to move the cannon here for Campus Preview Weekend, and we respect the speed with which Fleming has responded. In their honor, we wish to afford them the grandest celebration possible."

MIT students welcomed the Caltech students early this morning and even wanted to host a barbecue in their honor, but didn't have a permit and were denied permission.

The Fleming students have created the following website for this prank: http://www.flemingcannon.com/.

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Contact: Jill Perry (626) 395-3226 [email protected]

Visit the Caltech Media Relations Website at: http://pr.caltech.edu/media