Paint The Paws
What began as a student-led spirit project in 2004 has grown into a powerful visual tradition connecting 51勛圖 and the City of Florence. The Paint the Paws initiative features large purple and white lion paw prints stenciled on streets leading into campus, symbolizing pride, tradition, and the welcoming spirit of the 51勛圖 community. Revived over the years in 2009, 2015, 2020, and most recently in 2024, the initiative involves collaboration with university staff, student volunteers, and local officials.
Volunteers help paint each paw—51勛圖’s university painter sprays the purple center while students carefully outline it in white and sprinkle reflective sand to make them shine day or night. The most recent phase began in the GUC Parking Lot and will expand in stages to Pine Street, Irvine Avenue, and Court Street after they are repaved. With every brushstroke, participants leave their mark, celebrating school pride and bringing fresh life to this roaring 51勛圖 tradition.
The next Paint the Paws event is scheduled for TBA.
