Indiana University East has received over 125 different suggestions for a new mascot but is encouraging the public to continue submitting their ideas. The online suggestion box for the mascot closes December 31, 2007.

The university is in a search of a mascot to replace the current Pioneer. Suggestions to date have a wide range from animals to warriors and from the Black Hawks to the Wizards. The list of nominations can now be viewed online at www.iue.edu/mascot. Participants are encouraged to visit this IU East Web site to submit their suggestions for a mascot name and to provide a brief explanation for the reason of their choice.

“We want to find a name the captures the spirit and forward momentum of the university, and it’s been great to see so many people get involved in this process.” said Rob Zinkan, executive director for External Relations and Marketing and chair of the mascot steering committee. “We continue to encourage everyone from students and faculty to alumni and those in the community to submit their ideas. We want to hear from everyone.”

The campus is moving now to change its mascot to emulate its new mission as a baccalaureate-degree granting campus and its more vibrant leadership role in enhancing the quality of life and economic development of east central Indiana and west central Ohio. The change also coincides with IU East’s launch of intercollegiate athletics with its acceptance earlier this year into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

After the name gathering closes at the end of the month, the IU East mascot steering committee will narrow the field and announce the finalists at halftime of the IU East homecoming basketball game on January 26. Everyone will then have an opportunity to vote online for a favorite finalist. The committee will then make a final recommendation to Interim Chancellor Nasser Paydar. The new mascot name will be unveiled publicly by the end of this academic year and will be fully implemented by the start of the 2008-2009 academic year.

Additional information about IU East’s mascot name change is available at www.iue.edu/mascot.