 An owl, a symbol of knowledge and learning, is hidden in the folds of "Alma Mater"'s cloak near her left leg and college superstition has it that the first member of the incoming class to find the owl will become class valedictorian.The legend at another time was that any Columbia student who found the owl on his first try would marry a girl from Barnard.When the statue was originally installed it was gilded in gold.