传说与爱情
Southern Illinois has long been referred to as "Little Egypt." This nickname may be the result of the practices of early settlers from Northern Illinois who traveled to Southern Illinois to buy grain after a series of bad winters and droughts. These wagon train folks recognized the similarities between themselves and the ancient Israelites who went to Egypt to buy grain grown in the rich Nile Delta. Others have noted the similarity in shape between the mounds of the Native Americans who once lived throughout this area and the ancient pyramids of Egypt.
另外, one notices the existence of many Egyptian names such as Carmi, 开罗, 底比斯, 卡纳克神庙, 歌珊地, 和栋古拉. Other area Egyptian names include Sahara Coal, 埃及湖, Little Egypt Distributing, Greater Egyptian Athletic Conference, 埃及银行, 埃及汽车, the Daily Egyptian newspaper, Egyptian Public and Mental Health Department, Egyptian Shrine Club, Egyptian State Bank, Little Egypt Realty, 和许多, 更多的.
In 1960, when Southeastern Illinois College was formed, a sphinx was included in the official seal of the college to honor the "Little Egypt" heritage shared by the people of the college district. A few years later, when a logo was created for Southeastern, it incorporated yet another Egyptian symbol, 金字塔.
Southeastern's competitive teams have always had the falcon as their mascot. In Egypt, the king was thought of as a living god. While alive, he was Horus, the falcon-headed skygod, sitting on the magic Isis throne. When he died, he became Osiris, god of the underworld, and his heir became Horus.
另外, campus streets and roads also reflect Southeastern's allegiance to its Little Egypt heritage by locations such as Falcon Court, 撒哈拉沙漠开车, and Egyptian Drive, just to name a few.
有一段时间, 石头金字塔, approximately 12 feet high, sat on the front lawn of the campus adjacent to College Drive. The Little Egypt names and decor around campus serve as a daily reminder of our rich heritage, and we are proud to share this heritage with you.