Students select mascot for the University of North Georgia
10/15/2012 3:59:57 PM
(Oct. 15, 2012) – With a strong majority, students at North
Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College have
selected Nighthawks as the mascot for the new university to be formed through
the consolidation of the two institutions.
In January 2012, the University System of Georgia Board of
Regents voted to consolidate eight of its member institutions into four
schools. The consolidation of Gainesville State College and North Georgia College
& State University is scheduled to be implemented in January 2013, and the
two institutions will become the University of North Georgia.
“The focus of our consolidation continues to be about
bringing two strong institutions together as one university that will serve our
students across four campuses and a large geographic area that covers the
fastest-growing region of the state,” said President Bonita
Jacobs. “By selecting a new mascot
to promote athletics and school spirit, we are taking an important step to
building community as the University of North Georgia.”
The current mascots for the schools are the Saints and the
Fighting Geese. Students were asked to choose one of three options for the
future mascot of the University of North Georgia: Golden Eagles, Nighthawks or
Warriors. The finalists were determined through a process that began in August
and generated more than 750 different suggestions from students, alumni,
faculty, staff, and community members.
Information about each of the options was provided in the
survey and on the consolidation website. More than 6,300 students, approximately 42
percent of the combined student body, participated in the survey. With 51
percent of the responses, Nighthawks was the clear selection by the students.
The responses to the two other choices were split nearly evenly, with Golden
Eagles receiving 26 percent of the vote and Warriors receiving 23 percent.
“I am very pleased that such a large number of students from
each institution participated in the selection process. Their response clearly
demonstrates their interest in selecting the new mascot,” Jacobs said.
A nighthawk is a bird indigenous to the north Georgia region
that hunts typically at dusk and dawn. It has pointed wings and intricately marked
feathers that make it difficult to see when roosting. Nighthawks have a wing
span of about two feet. Nighthawk males are able to make a unique, deep booming
sound with their wings. Nighthawks migrate annually, sometimes at distances of
up to nearly 7,000 miles.
Athletic Director Lindsay Reeves looks forward to involving
a larger student body in the university’s athletic program and feels the
selection of Nighthawks has attributes associated with competitive athletics.
“Based on our research in this process, nighthawks are agile
and quick, they camouflage themselves when not flying and their long-distance
migrations point to endurance and perseverance,” Reeves said.
The visual identity surrounding the new mascot is expected
to be unveiled in January 2013, when the consolidation of the two institutions
receives final authorization by the USG Board of Regents.