ISSUED: 14 March 2018
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University will celebrate a special birthday—for its mascot ram J.C.—on Wednesday, March 28, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Robert C. Byrd Science and Technology Center. J.C.’s Birthday Bash, which is free and open to the public, will have a raffle, photo booth, light refreshments, and a special presentation to the ram from Shepherd President Mary J.C. Hendrix.
One year ago J.C., a Dorset ram, was purchased with donations from alumni Al and Sara Lueck; Holly Morgan Frye, assistant vice president for student affairs and director of community and congressional relations, and her husband Jim Frye; and Dr. Ben Martz, dean of the College of Business. J.C. has been attending Shepherd football games and a variety of other events throughout his first year on campus.
The tradition of having a live ram mascot named in honor of the current president goes back to the presidency of Dr. Oliver S. Ikenberry, with Ike the ram. Dr. James A. Butcher had Butch, Dr. Michael P. Riccards had Mike, Dr. David L. Dunlop had Livingston, and Dr. Suzanne Shipley had Zan.
For more information about J.C.’s Birthday Bash, contact Michelle Lawson at mlawson@shepherd.edu.
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