Assistant Dean Leads Mascot Mania

Assistant Dean Jeannette Songer and her crew of student workers are pleased to introduce Elizabeth Bearcat Browning, the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences entry for "Mascot Mania," a new decorating contest modeled after Cincinnati's Big Pig Gig.

"When the competition was announced to the university, there was no question that McMicken would be involved. We are, after all, the cornerstone college of the University of Cincinnati!" said Songer. "The only question we had was to how best represent the college. That's when we decided on Elizabeth. We felt she was an excellent representation of the LiBEARal Arts....the foundation of the college."

But, what would she look like? Fortunately, the Undergraduate Affairs and Advising Office has in its employ two very gifted student assistants, Dasha Lezina and Beth Fisher. Dasha and Beth did some research on Elizabeth Barrett Browning, on Victorian-era garb, and on working with fiberglass. They then drew up the initial sketch of how Elizabeth would ultimately appear. The sketch was introduced to local media at the kick-off press conference for the event, and she received rave reviews!

Dean Songer also mentions "The real challenge began when we realized we had to take a rather androgynous Bearcat and make it just a tad more feminine." This involved some rather interesting additions to the Bearcat's physique. Undaunted, Beth and Dasha devised a way to create a skirt as well as a rather curvaceous upper torso on Elizabeth. Working with many different materials, and with paints donated by Oakley Paint and Glass Co, and borrowed from the kind folks in the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, the Bearcat began to take shape. Students and staff worked long hours to create the masterpiece. "We are very proud of our entry, and we believe she will be a wonderful representative for the college at the upcoming Homecoming Festivities."

For more information about "Mascot Mania" visit the

UC web site

.