Tulsa Community College, the state’s largest two-year college, has revealed its first-ever mascot. The TCC mascot design process featured three distinct options: the Goose, the Wolf, and BLU (Bigfoot or Sasquatch). Over the past two weeks, nearly 2,000 students, employees, and alumni cast their votes. In the end, there could only be one choice for TCC: the Goose.
Announced May 6, the goose has become the campus mascot for each of the TCC campuses. Modeled after the Canadian goose, which is often found on three of TCC’s four campuses, its familiar sight will be enshrined as the college mascot for years to come.
Dr. Eunice Tarver, vice president of Student Success and chief Student Affairs officer, provided information about the college’s official mascot project.
TCC Connection: How did the idea for having a mascot originate?
Dr. Tarver: Throughout the years, we have received lots of feedback about the idea of a mascot. From students, staff, and faculty, the discussion around the value of a mascot was consistent. When the idea was proposed again last year, the timing was ripe to begin the work of launching a new mascot.
TCC Connection: What were the key criteria used in the mascot design process?
Dr. Tarver: We really wanted to ensure that the mascot selection process resulted in a mascot unique to Oklahoma. We did not want to duplicate one of our peer colleges’ mascots. We also wanted a mascot that represented Oklahoma broadly, Tulsa, if possible, and something that resonated with our TCC students, staff, and faculty. That was the most important criteria. We had a fabulous team that helped with the design process. They helped coordinate focus groups, surveys, and attended a variety of gatherings to gain as much feedback as possible on what a TCC mascot should include.
TCC Connection: Did the results from the survey surprise you, either with the results or the number of votes?
Dr. Tarver: Our team was very pleased with the number of votes! It was really exciting to see that number grow. I won’t say who I voted for, but I was pretty certain the goose would win. So many students have funny memories about the geese across our campuses.
It was also revealed that this fall, TCC will invite students and employees to help name the Goose through another campus-wide campaign to name the mascot following its official debut.
