At Auburn University, finals week can be very stressful for students. There are big tests,
long study hours, and a lot of pressure to do well. To help students feel better, Auburn University
Libraries introduced a small foam toy called Ralph the Stress Tiger. What started as a simple
way to help student relax has grown into a popular campus tradition.
Ralph was created in 2019 by Jayson Hill after a request from the dean, Shali Zhang. The
design was based on a “Jungle Tiger” stress toy design, and the library branded it. At first, Ralph
was given out at library events. Students could squeeze the small tiger while studying, which
helped them feel calmer during long hours of exam prep. Over time, the way students got Ralph
began to change.
In 2021, the library made Ralph easier to find by placing the tigers on a “book tree”
inside the Ralph Brown Draughon Library. Students could take one as they passed by. Then, in
2023, the tradition became more like a game during spring finals. Instead of taking a tiger from
one spot, students had to search for them. Library staff hid Ralphs all around the building, across
all four floors. This turned finding a tiger into a fun scavenger hunt. It gave students a short
break from studying and something exciting to do during spring finals week.
Social media helped the tradition grow even more. On Instagram, people began posting
pictures of Ralph. A trend called “Ralph on the Road” started when Hill took the tiger on trips
and shared photos online. Soon, students joined in too. They posted pictures of Ralph in many
places. The tiger has been seen in nearby cities like Opelika, in other states, and even in other
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countries. These posts helped turn Ralph into more than just a toy. He became a shared symbol
of the Auburn experience.
As more people learned about Ralph, the number of tigers grew quickly. What started as
just a few thousand has turned into tens of thousands given out to students, staff, and visitors.
Each year, more people want one, especially during finals week.
Today, Ralph the Stress Tiger means more than just stress relief. He shows how a small
idea can grow into something big. With help from both the university and the students, Ralph has
become a symbol of community, connection, and shared experience. Even when students leave
campus, Ralph reminds them of their time at Auburn and the traditions they share.
