The W
WHAT'S THE W ON THE MOUNTAIN?
The W is a shining reminder of Weber State University’s enduring presence in Ogden and beyond. Also known as the W on the Hill, the W joins a long tradition of hillside letters across the American West. What makes this one stand out is its unique composition and function. It’s made up of hundreds of solar panels, and the outer edges of the W glow purple and white — the university’s school colors — in various patterns for special occasions.
What do the colors and patterns mean?
Solid white | Daily
The W will glow solid white beginning at dusk and automatically turn off at 10 p.m. each night.
Solid purple | Homecoming Week and Founders Day
Each year, there will be a special lighting event at the beginning of Homecoming Week in October, and the W will stay lit the entire week. It will also glow purple on Jan. 7, which marks the university’s founding in 1889.
Flashing purple and white | Athletic home victories
Whenever one of Weber State’s NCAA teams wins at home — including occasions where two or more games are won on the same day — the W will flash purple and white that evening.
"Flaming" purple and white | Graduation
Weber State hosts two university wide commencement ceremonies each year to celebrate graduation in December and April. The date is different each year, but the W will display a special “flaming” pattern of white and purple to honor WSU graduates.
Off | Conditionally
On occasion, the W will go dark for things like sky observation and other academic and community events. Requests can be directed to jacobcain@weber.edu.
What's the History of the W?
The tradition started in 1937, when Weber State students used kerosene and burlap sacks to ignite a literal flaming W on the hillside. Future endeavors to display the W included using rocks, plants, and even flares. Most recently — and more safely — Wildcats used electric lights powered by a portable generator, which sparked growing interest among campus and community members to establish a permanent W.
Construction on the W began in the summer of 2024 in the same location where the temporary Ws were constructed from year to year and continued through summer of 2025. The W’s inaugural lighting took place in fall 2025, during halftime of the Wildcat’s first home football game of the season.