Gift of Gandalf

When Ethan Swoyer logged on to Facebook, little did he know that one photograph would completely alter the trajectory of his college social life. 

In the photo, Tobias Schwarz, a Liberty senior, stood in line at graduation wearing his robe and hat. Schwartz played two roles at Liberty University: a student, and most notoriously, the campus Gandalf. 

People had gotten to be quite familiar with Schwarz, until he had to graduate this past May. Passing the torch down did not occur to him until he began to see some comments scrolling on his Facebook feed.

It was not until Ethan Swoyer, a junior electrical engineering major, commented on the photo saying that Schwarz should pass the hat along to a new Gandalf.  After the comment was made Swoyer said that Schwarz messaged him asking if he would like to carry on the Gandalf tradition.

Not even meeting in person Swoyer said that he would be more than happy to carry out the tradition as the new Liberty Gandalf.

“As college students I think a lot of us tend to get a little too serious,” Swoyer said.  “So if wearing a grey pointed hat and acting like a wizard makes people smile then that is the most important thing.”

When Swoyer informed his family, they thought he was joking. After some time, they began to accept his wishes.

Swoyer said that Schwarz began the tradition of Gandalf because he was a huge “Lord of the Rings” fan. 

Schwarz began to wear a Gandalf hat to class and at certain events, until he then became known as the campus Gandalf. He then wore it everywhere and all the time.

Swoyer said that Schwarz began to keep in contact with him and giving him the Gandalf “guidelines” to being a successful campus wizard. 

The guidelines require Swoyer to wear the Gandalf wool hat every day. This must take some dedication as the beginning of the fall semester is always boiling hot weather.

The main job as the campus wizard is just to be silly and have fun with friends and other students on campus.  Class is already stressful enough, and Swoyer said that if he can put a smile on someone’s face then he is doing his job right.

The key to being campus wizard is pure entertainment.  Schwarz achieved that during his reign here on campus and has proudly passed the hat down to someone who is worthy enough to enlighten campus life every day. 

“The entire goal is to lighten the mood,” Swoyer said.

Swoyer has promised to keep the tradition going, and one can only hope it is a tradition worth sharing for semesters to come.

More information about the journey to becoming Gandalf can be found in the official Liberty Champion video on their Facebook page.