A homegrown NSU tradition has spread across the country and is now making national headlines. #noshoesnovember is sweeping the nation.
At NSU, bare feet are a regular sight. Legend has it that it began with Smitty Lorsen, a biology major who graduated in 1999. Lorsen was always forced to wear shoes as a child and took the opportunity to liberate himself at NSU. He even dubbed the school “No-Shoes University.”
For years, students have opted out of protective footwear to show off their feet. Thomas Santana, sophomore psychology major and no-shoes advocate said that he took his shoes off one day when it was raining and hasn’t put them back on since.
“Free the toes to free your mind,” said Santana.
The NSU tradition caught on around the nation thanks to award-winning researcher and alumn Nicholas Thornton, who found a new treatment for foot fungus. Thornton, appropriately barefoot, accepted his Nobel Prize for the innovative formula. In his speech, he said he was inspired to research foot fungus because he wanted more people to feel comfortable going barefoot at NSU and around the world.
After his speech, individuals from across the nation started tweeting pictures of their bare feet with hashtag #noshoesnovember. Famous figures like John Cena and Christina Aguilera also joined the movement.
“I think it’s a great way to promote body positivity and spread awareness,” said Aguilera in an interview with Access Hollywood. “I always hated having to wear such elaborate footwear in all of my performances. I want my fans to know that they do have a choice when it comes to what they put on their feet.”
Critics of the movement call it a barefoot bandwagon and state that going shoeless poses both health and safety risks.
“Going barefoot makes you more susceptible to injury and puts you at higher risk for contracting a fungus or disease,” said Dr. Marie Henley, general surgeon and adjunct professor at the University of Miami.
Despite critics, more and more pictures are being posted to social media of barefoot counts and contessas from Idaho to California.
The NSU community seems to find the trend flattering.
“I think it’s a cool way for the university to be recognized. We’re talked about as pioneers for education but I think this will help us establish our name even more,” said Craig Garcia, professor in NSU’s college of optometry.
Some NSU students hope that the movement will continue and one day define the new normal in terms of footwear.
“I hope that NSU can show the world that the individual decides what’s right for them and we don’t have to be defined by a construct as silly as a shoe,” said Chloe Yankovich, senior political science major.
To see what’s being said about going shoeless, search #noshoesnovember on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
