Out with the old, in with the brand new.
George Washington University modified their “Colonials” moniker to “Revolutionaries” after facing scrutiny from students who deemed the college’s mascot as offensive.
NBC anchor and alumnus Chuck Todd helped reveal the brand new name Wednesday, scrapping the previous centuries-old Colonials name the college was under since 1926.
The varsity committee received 8,000 suggestions and 47,000 points of feedback, narrowing all of it all the way down to the ultimate 10 names that best fit, the college said in a press release.
George Washington was pressured to give you a plan to dispel the Colonials’ name in 2018.
Greater than 530 students objected to the “extremely offensive” Colonials moniker and claimed it “has too deep a connection colonization and glorifies the act of systemic oppression.”
The varsity, based in Washington, D.C., will implement the brand new name in the course of the 2023-24 academic yr.
“That is an exciting day for the George Washington University Revolutionaries,” President Mark S. Wrighton said.
“A moniker must unify our community, draw people together and function a source of pride. We sit up for the subsequent steps in an inclusive process to discover a moniker that fulfills this aspiration,” board chair Grace Speights announced when the college initially told students they might change their name.
Students, alumni, and professors were interviewed within the name-reveal video to offer their tackle the brand new mascot name and show their “Revolutionaries” spirit.
“I like Revolutionaries since it references George Washington in a positive way,” alumni Jake Sherman said.
“It alludes to the unique foundation of our country, and it has a contemporary application as well,” graduate student Desiree Winns added.
“Revolutionaries are daring, they embody creativity and fervour. Revolutionaries are change-makers, they’re not content with the established order,” Professor Monica Ruiz proudly voiced.
George Washington University’s mascot, “George”, will still remain as the college’s mascot, the university website stated.