Students Initiate the Return of Mack
by Kassondra Patterson
Union College hasn't had a real doghouse on campus for the past eight years. But that will soon change when Mack the Bulldog, a character more consistently known as an illustration on Union's athletics logo, makes a live comeback.
With the help of two Common Partners students, Austin Sebald and Shawn Spoon, along with the Common Partners program, the English Bulldog will soon be returning. The two young men decided this summer that Union needed a mascot again after finding an old picture of Mack with a few basketball players.
"The return of Mack would boost the morale of Union's campus and serve as a way for the administration to give back to the students," said Spoon, public relations intern with Common Partners. "This is also a way for the Common Partners program on campus to give back to Union. It will be both a service and privilege to house and take care of Mack."
Sebald, who is the head intern with Common Partners, agrees that bringing a live mascot back to campus will be a positive move. "We've kept at this because we want to change Union for the good, and we will start by bring back Mack," he said. After creating a proposal, Sebald and Spoon made a presentation first to the Student Government Association and then to the college's administration about getting a live bulldog mascot. Both committees approved Mack's return.
"The Student Government Association is currently creating an account for Mack that alumni and anyone else can donate to in order for us to keep it going," said Juleda Hyde, SGA vice president of business affairs.
The new Mack will be a male who will hopefully be used to breed more Union mascots down the road. The breeder Mack will be coming from is in Pineville and has agreed to assist in helping choose what should be considered the most impressive male. Like the University of Georgia's Uga, Union's Mack will be represented for generations to come by the same bloodline. By breeding the current Mack to their female, "we'll get pick of the litter for future Macks," said Gabrielle Mellendorf, director of Common Partners.
Mack will be staying in the Common Partners service house where privileged seniors in the program will care for him. When school isn't in session, Mellendorf will continue Mack's care. Additionally, Knox County Veterinary Services, Inc., has donated veterinary care. Personnel there view Mack's return an important event that expands beyond Union College. They believe Mack serves as a mascot to the entire Barbourville community.
As for Mack's arrival to campus, it will not be until late November or early December when he is able to leave his mother. Once on campus, Mack will be involved in a lot of activities and athletic events. "Mack will be a positive addition to Union as a whole, not just athletics," said Mellendorf. "He will be able to travel and visit alumni, attend orientations, athletic events, local schools and other community partners, nursing homes, and used in animal shelter promotions. He will be a working dog along with being the new face of Union."
Union College is a four-year liberal arts institution related to the United Methodist Church.
