By Noah Brasseur
UNIVERSITY CENTER – Delta College students seemed largely uninterested in Delta’s pivot away from the Pioneers mascot and name, while alumni expressed frustration with the change.
“Honestly, I’m kind of indifferent about it,” said Willem Short, a current Delta student. “Whatever they choose is probably going to be smart.”
Short said that while he was not sure what a Lumbercat was, it “sounds kind of cool.” His confusion is not unfounded. A Google search returns no result for a “lumbercat” beyond video game characters and a small band’s Instagram account.
Molly Wahl, another student, said she had not wanted to see the change, but she was not “mad that it’s being changed.” She preferred the white-tailed deer as the new mascot.
Precious Fields, a member of the women’s basketball team, did not know which one she wanted to vote for. As she was read the list of the four finalists, her face scrunched up.
“I can’t really see none of them,” Fields shared. “Because I’m used to being a Delta Pioneer.”
One of the provided reasons for the name change came from Leanne Govitz, Delta College’s Director of Marketing and Public Information.
“Throughout the years, student-athletes and other groups have wanted to create a mascot,” Govitz said in a recent interview. “One that isn’t tied to local colonization or lumbering nor gender specific.”
The students’ reactions to the sentiment Govitz shared were mixed.
“Other than colonization, yeah,” Short said. “I feel like pioneer isn’t very gender specific, personally, because I feel like men and women can both be pioneers.”
“I’m not sure… I mean, I can see where she’s coming from,” Wahl said.
“I mean, that’s cool, but,” Fields started, before continuing, “We see nothing wrong with it.”
While student reactions ranged from indifference to hesitation, a much stronger outcry came from Delta alumni. Sydney Hollis, who graduated in 2020, sent an email to the Collegiate expressing her dismay at the change.
“I somewhat understand the sentiment in the name change… but by definition a pioneer is ‘a person to develop or be the first to use or apply (a new method, area of knowledge, or activity),’” she wrote. “Furthermore, as a community college with its main focus on expanding the minds of its students, rather than profit or sports, (something I take much pride in as an alumni) Delta really does not need a physical mascot.”
Collin Weber, another alum, expressed a similar sentiment.
“In my world, the word pioneer is the first to do something. Sure, it can be a colonization, however, it can also be anything that the person wants it to be,” he wrote. “You frequently hear the word pioneer used to describe something. I.e. ‘They were the pioneers of that industry.’ A pioneer industry is any industry that adds value. I believe Delta College Pioneers are just that. They are adding value to the community. Personally, I believe that Pioneers are incredibly fitting for what the goal of the college is.”
Social media has not taken kindly to the change either. A petition started by Hollis to preserve the name as Pioneers has reached over 200 signatures, and the Facebook announcement is filled with comments questioning the name change. Alumni have taken to socials to speak out against the move, as well.
Regardless of the outcome of the vote, the new mascot does not seem like it will be accepted with as much enthusiasm as the college may have hoped.
Throughout the years, student-athletes and other groups have wanted to create a mascot,” Govitz said in a recent interview. “One that isn’t tied to local colonization or lumbering nor gender specific.”
True, students want mascot items to buy and wear and to give us gifts. I seriouslynever heard one student say they were worried about “colonization or lumbering nor gender specific.” Students/alumni/staff like pioneer. There is nothing offensive about that name.
I’ll always be a poioneer…even with a new mascot.