USU Students Break Kissing World Record

Students at Utah State University broke the world record for the “longest kissing chain” in the late evening of Friday, Sept. 23. The previous record of 303 participants was set at a school in India earlier this year. The Aggies set the new world record with 1,450 participants.

Kissing has played an important role in student traditions at Utah State. The long standing "True Aggie" tradition—a title given to those receiving a kiss on the "A" under a full moon at midnight by somebody who is already a "True Aggie," or on Homecoming—is a right-of-passage for many students. At one time, USU held the record for “most couples kissing at the same place at the same time.”

“I thought we could organize another world record pretty easily,” said graduate student Michael Wilkey. “We’re Aggies; we can do anything when we’re united!”

Wilkey, with the help of the USU Student Alumni Association planned and carried out the event.

“Now we will just wait to hear back from the officials at Guinness World Records,” said Wilkey.

To help ensure that the record would be considered by Guinness, Judge Jeff Burbank and Representative David Butterfield were enlisted to act as judicators.

The world record was held in conjunction with the Utah State University 2011 Homecoming Week which will conclude with the homecoming football game as the Aggies take on the Rams of Colorado State, at 6 PM, Saturday, Sept. 24.