NEWARK − Central Ohio Technical College not has athletic groups, however that does not imply it will probably’t have a mascot.
The faculty just lately launched TC the Cat — brief for catalyst — as its new image. The brightly coloured cat is mild blue, white and darkish blue, sporting a defend on its chest with the letters “TC” in yellow on a darkish blue background, and a yellow cape.
“We came up with catalyst. A catalyst for change. Changing their lives and their community,” COTC President John Berry mentioned.
In addition to The Catalyst, the TC might additionally signify tech faculty or techcare for its technical packages, public security careers and well being care choices, Berry mentioned.
“Our new mascot will reflect the profile of our student population and will also embody COTC’s spirit of innovation, resilience and commitment,” Berry mentioned. “Our students and the college are catalysts for positive change, and our new mascot will represent that spirit.”
In 2015, COTC and Ohio State University-Newark eradicated athletics to assist stability their budgets, ending the period of the Titans.
Berry turned COTC president Jan. 1, 2019. He served as director of scholar life at COTC, earlier than shifting on to positions at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina, Rhodes State College in Lima, Ohio, and Bridge Valley Community and Technical College in Montgomery, West Virginia.
“Ever since I came back as president five years ago, I thought there was something missing,” Berry mentioned. “When I left, there was an athletic program, and that’s when we had a mascot, and that went away when athletics went away.
“COTC was left without any significant moniker, and we really felt that was a missing piece. A year and a half ago, I asked for something to represent the institution. So, we took a while.”
Sanath Kumar, director of promoting and public relations, mentioned, “We used AI to come up with a name, including the features about what our values are, and it came up with some interesting options.”
Kumar mentioned the objective was to create a mascot that was welcoming and powerful, utilizing the colours which are a part of the COTC advertising and marketing model. The design crew made some adjustments and shared it with the president’s cupboard and the board. The course of concerned focus teams and several other variations of the brand new mascot.
“Some were too intense and angry,” Berry mentioned. “We want it engaging. We don’t want it to look intimidating. We wanted some vibrant colors and wearing a superhero cape because we believe our students are superheroes. They really created a great product. There’s enthusiasm around it we didn’t totally comprehend.”
The first step in making a mascot is figuring out who you’re, Berry mentioned. COTC’s mission is to fulfill the technical training and coaching wants of scholars and employers within the space. The faculties values are outlined as useful and inclusive, resilient and tenacious, and forward-thinking and modern.
“Our new mascot will reflect the profile of our student population and will also embody COTC’s spirit of innovation, resilience and commitment,” Berry said. “Our students and the college are catalysts for positive change and our new mascot will represent that spirit.”
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