PVCC Panther has Arrived
John Matthews, staff writer
On Wednesday, Feb. 21, PVCC held an event to reveal the college’s first-ever mascot since the school’s formation in 1972. After PVCC students voted on what the mascot should be, the Panther was finally revealed for all students and faculty to see.
The bright green-eyed, black-coated Panther wore a maroon PVCC polo shirt. The mascot posed for pictures with students and faculty and trotted around interacting with people in the food line and those receiving the first PVCC Panther t-shirts. The mascot also handed out award bags to the panther-based trivia game winners and tossed balls and flying discs to people in the Bolick Student Center.
On Feb. 28, the Student Government Association (SGA) will select the top five name choices to be voted on by the student body. Students can vote on the name between Monday, March 5 and Friday, March 9. The official name for the Panther is scheduled to be revealed the following Monday, March 12.
Shawn Anderson, coordinator of student engagement and student life, described the push for a mascot. He said the “SGA made it an initiative to school spirit.” The goal was to “get students more involved.”
The event was a success. SGA President Michael Apgar said they gave away 100 PVCC Panther t-shirts in 10 minutes. “Students were getting involved with pictures,” Apgar said.
The Panther mascot was joyfully received by both students and faculty, who showed their excitement by participating in the panther trivia game and getting pictures with the mascot either through the school’s photographer or taking their own selfies.
There was a general consensus among students that they liked the choice of Panther as the school mascot. Madison Weikle said she liked its “similarity to the marvel character.” Another fellow student, Navashree Singh, said it was “pretty cool but a little creepy.”
The mascot event was joined by the Hope at Piedmont Club, described by Brianna Wayne, Hope at Piedmont’s liaison, “Hope gets it popping.” They gave out prizes and free popcorn to those in attendance at the event. Hope at Piedmont Club is a club against sexual assault and an advocate for students fearing pregnancy or emotional crisis. They meet every other Wednesday in room M159 from 1-2 p.m. For more information email them at hopeatpiedmont@gmail.com.
University of Virginia Community Credit Union also joined the event. Kelsey Waters, their representative, was there giving out free flying discs and discussing programs available at UVA’s Community Credit Union and the differences between them and other banks.
The Panther Mascot Event was filled with excitement and laughs throughout, with endless interactions between the mascot and students and faculty. From pictures to high fives, the Panther gives PVCC spirit a thumbs up.
If you have any questions about the Panther mascot at PVCC, email Shawn Anderson at sanderson@pvcc.edu.
