Voting for the new Grand Rapids Community College mascot has begun and the designs for the final three choices have been revealed. The three options that made the cut were an otter, a lion, and a fox.
With word now being out about the potential new mascot, GRCC students took some time to share their thoughts and opinions on the possible new symbol to represent the college.
Gregory Gardner Wayland, an 18 year-old freshman, took great pleasure in the final three options, but quickly narrowed his choices down to one.
“I think the options are pretty good,” Gardner said. “I think the Otter stands out to me the most, I like the logo and the design of it. I see GRCC more as Otters, more than a Lion or a Fox.”
Other students had a contrary opinion of what the symbols could represent.
Mary Trice, 44, of Grand Rapids, believes one of the logos signifies perseverance, and believes the institution reflects that.
“I like the Lion,” Trice said. “I would think of that and us as powerful, strong, those kinds of words. That’s my favorite option also because I’m a Detroit Lions fan.”
For some students the symbols have a sentimental meaning to them, which would make the possibility of that symbol being selected to represent GRCC that much more special. Nikah Muhammad, 19, of Grand Rapids echoes that value.
“I’m just really going based on what the animal means to me,” Muhammad said. “I like the Otter, I feel like they’re really playful.”
While the options have left some students gleeful, it also has some students torn between such historically symbolic animals. Ericka Schaefer, 19, Middleville, voiced this tough decision.
“Personally I think the Fox is cute but I like the Lion better,” Schaefer said. “I feel like the Fox doesn’t really go with the school, and Lions connect to words like strong.”
Despite the varying opinions on what the GRCC mascot should be, many students seemed to think it’s a nice thing to finally have a symbol to represent the college for the foreseeable future.
“I didn’t know what the mascot was before,” Schaefer said. “So I think it would be pretty cool to have an official one for us going forward.”
The unofficial vote tally from The Collegiate’s interviews with students, asking them which option they would choose, had the otter coming in first place, the lion was second, and the fox was third.
Voting for the mascot ends on Oct 3. Go to the mascot website to cast your vote.
Collegiate reporters Meaza Love, Ryley Langdon and Grace Holmes contributed to this report.
