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Sturgis

LIVE MASCOT - STURGIS
 
sturgis at library
Horace Sturgis
Horace W. Sturgis - KSU's First President
 

 Following a vote of nearly 1,300 respondents, the first-ever Kennesaw State University live owl will be known as "Sturgis", named after Horace Sturgis who served as the institution's first president.

Sturgis, the owl, made his Kennesaw State debut and officially received his name during the university's annual "Flight Night" event that included the introduction of the men's and women's basketball teams at the KSU Convocation Center on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Horace Sturgis served as president of Kennesaw Junior College and later Kennesaw State College from 1965 until 1980. He built the foundation for Kennesaw Junior College and led its transition to a four-year institution in 1976 and Kennesaw State College in 1977. Sturgis awarded the first bachelor degrees during his final commencement as president in 1980.

"Coming off the energy of Kennesaw State's 50-Year Anniversary celebration and Founders Week, I can think of no better name and one that is more fitting than Sturgis," Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams said. "Horace Sturgis was our first president and a man of great strength, vision and courage – all characteristics of a Great Horned Owl."

"His dedication and commitment to the students, faculty, staff and campus community throughout his career were key elements in laying the foundation for building Kennesaw State University into the great institution that it is today," Williams added. "And that is why the name Sturgis is appropriate as it recognizes a true pioneer and brings us into the present. It all started with Horace Sturgis as he selected the owl to be our symbol at Kennesaw State."

"Once again, we heard from our community that understands the significant contributions of our first president and this is an exciting way to honor his legacy," Williams added.

The name Sturgis captured the imagination of students and fans over a list of finalists that included: General, General Kane, Kane Sturgis, Kenny the Owl, Owlbert Talon, Spec Busbee and Talon. Fans had the opportunity to vote for one of the seven names or use a variation of one of them to create a new name.

"Over the past month, we have asked students and fans to be involved in the voting for our first football helmet design, creating names for the owl and then voting on them," Lauren Katovsky, assistant athletics director for corporate sales and marketing, said. "We have had an overwhelming response with over 10,000 votes for the football helmet, 700 name submissions and 1,300 votes for the final name."

"We are very pleased with the reception and participation from our fan base and look forward to continuing to include them," Katovsky added. "This has been a fun process for everyone involved and we feel we came away with the best name that will last over time. At first we asked for a first, middle and last name for the owl but through everyone's feedback, it seemed most fans were looking for one strong name."

As a way to acknowledge those who submitted the name Sturgis in some form, a group of individuals that included Monica Findley, Rachel Stigani, Slade Gulledge, Barbara Biddlewhite, Chris Sipes and Dee Dee Merrill were recognized during Flight Night and had the opportunity to meet and pose for pictures with Sturgis.

Members of Horace Sturgis' family were on hand, including Dr. John Cowan, Peggy Cowan and Daniel Cowan and his family.

A committee comprised of students, faculty, staff, community members, KSU Board of Trustees and alumni met on Friday, October 4, 2013 and narrowed the list down to seven names that have an association with the history of the university, the city of Kennesaw and words associated with owls and strength.

The final names were then posted on www.KSUOwls.com where students and fans had a chance to vote for their favorite.

Sturgis lives and trains at Winding Woods Ranch in Commerce, Ga., where he is involved a rigorous training regimen under the watchful care of noted trainer Daniel Walthers.

The Great Horned Owl is the official owl of Kennesaw State, and Sturgis is in the family of the Great Horned Owl.

After several years of discussing the concept of a live Owl to serve as the official mascot of Kennesaw State, the decision to move forward was finally made last spring. Sturgis was born April 8, 2013 in New York and will grow to six pounds with a wing span around five feet and can live up to 60 years.