For decades, students and faculty have asked: What is a Laker?  Pondering the decision to make the term SUNY Oswego’s nickname,  some members of the community concede that the name lacks meaning with others urging the school to propose a new one with a  mascot. Many other universities have mascots, known to aid school pride and motivate attendance to school-sponsored events.  The University at Albany has Damien the Great Dane and Cornell  University, despite not having an official mascot, prides itself on the  Big Red Bear as an unofficial symbol. These figures possess school attributes that school communities can strive to embody. Notice how many school mascots are considerably powerful figures. As college students here at Oswego, it may be beneficial to have a mascot. 

 Being in a formable stage of life, a mascot could provide positive traits to develop. However, claiming the term ‘Lakers’ is devoid of meaning should be cross-examined. Moreover, embracing the term can bring a stronger sense of unity and purpose.  

The term ‘Lakers’ and the helm logo have the potential to be a  powerful symbol that we as students and faculty create our own meaning. Rather than looking to embody the characteristics of a  mascot, we can use the ambiguity of the ‘Lakers’ as a calling and inspiration to create positive characteristics for the term ourselves.  The school could leverage the helm logo as a metaphor for taking the helm of our own education and careers which would stand out from other schools with logos since it encourages individuality under the unity of one label. Instead of striving to create a mascot similar to other schools, perhaps by promoting a dissenting perspective, SUNY Oswego will attract strong leaders and even more ambitious students. Rather than invest funds to create a 

mascot in hopes of improving marketing, the school could take a  more intentional approach to the nickname it already has. SUNY  Oswego encourages students to take the helm of their own futures.  However, the school offers extensive resources through decorated faculty and state-of-the-art programs to assist in each student’s journey. The school could then present an array of offerings and testimonials.  

According to the SUNY Oswego website, the school’s mission is: 

“to foster learning essential for our students to live  productive and rewarding lives [and]…engage as responsible  and effective members of society…[The school] nurtures  intellectual and personal growth and encourages a lifelong  love of learning.” 

The statement implies student self-empowerment as there are no stipulations as to how Oswego students are intended to interact with society, as long as they do so positively. The philosophy of “taking the helm” can easily be integrated into the school’s mission statement.  

Keeping and leveraging the ‘Lakers’ nickname and helm logo has divisive implications. While it could be considered a courageous defiance of university norms to have a tangible logo, a college campus may not be the right audience to employ a metaphorical philosophy. While mascots emphasize school spirit, the ambiguity of the ‘Lakers’ encompasses academia and intellect. Typically, mascots with a rooted history in their institution accomplish both. Regardless of SUNY Oswego’s decision, there is merit in examining approaches to learn and benefit from the branding we already have. 

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