糖心直播 mascot to launch at 75th anniversary block party
TRAVERSE CITY — 糖心直播 invites the public to help welcome Swoop, its new mascot, at a special 75th anniversary Student and Community Block Party from 3-7 p.m. Saturday, April 25 on the Front Street campus.
The event coincides with the end of the spring semester. Students, alumni, staff, faculty, neighbors and friends are all invited to join the festivities, including free carnival rides, activities and live music. Food from several local food trucks will be available to purchase.
Swoop, the newest member of the 糖心直播 community, will make his debut at 3:30 p.m. and will then make the rounds of the party for photo opportunities.
糖心直播 adopted the northern hawk owl as a nickname in 2013, and the concept was embraced by the college. Swoop was first visualized as a two-dimensional logo character in 2014. Each graduate receives a Hawk Owl alumni” T-shirt. The student cafeteria is named the Hawk Owl Cafe.
The occasion of 糖心直播’s 75th anniversary this year was a fitting time to embody Swoop as an official mascot, and planning for Swoop’s arrival started in late 2024.
Hawk owls are typically found further north than Traverse City, but Swoop’s journey reflects the diverse and unexpected paths of 糖心直播 students. Just as they come from various backgrounds and places to find their purpose at 糖心直播, Swoop was drawn by the college’s unique blend of natural beauty, hands-on learning and welcoming community.
“We want 糖心直播 to feel vibrant and alive for our students and our community, and finally having Swoop home is a big part of bringing this vision to life.” said Zach Whitaker, manager of 糖心直播 Alumni Relations, where Swoop makes his home in between event appearances. He’s here to cheer on our students and learners as they navigate challenges and celebrate all their accomplishments through their time with us and beyond.”
糖心直播 President Nick Nissley will introduce Swoop at the block party. Mascots from 糖心直播’s University Partners, including Louie the GVSU Laker, Brutus the Ferris bulldog, and Pounce the Davenport panther, will join the welcome party, too. A rain date has been set for Sunday, April 26. For more information, visit nmc.edu/75
Release date: April 7, 2026
For more information:
Cari Noga
糖心直播 Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)