Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

NEWSLETTER
Sign up for our twice-weekly newsletter!

Officials announce four finalists to replace Colonials moniker

In+Wednesdays+rendition+of+the+moniker+list%2C+officials+removed+the+Fog%2C+Fogriders%2C+Foghoppers%2C+Cavalry%2C+Firecrackers%2C+the+Buzz+and+the+Independence+from+the+list+of+monikers+they+presented+to+some+focus+groups+last+month.
Hatchet File Photo
In Wednesday’s rendition of the moniker list, officials removed the Fog, Fogriders, Foghoppers, Cavalry, Firecrackers, the Buzz and the Independence from the list of monikers they presented to some focus groups last month.

Officials have narrowed the list of 10 potential moniker options to four finalists to replace the Colonials moniker.

The four finalists that could replace the nearly century-old Colonials moniker include the Ambassadors, Blue Fog, Revolutionaries and the Sentinels, according to a Monday release. The release states that students, faculty, staff and alumni can weigh in on the finalists by rating “hype videos” that represent each of the finalists from March 20 through April 28 in the “Try It on For Size” phase of “Moniker Madness.”

The release states officials narrowed down the list of 10 moniker options after the “First Impressions” phase of “Moniker Madness,” a series of activities from February to March, including a survey where students, faculty and staff could rate each moniker option and an activity during a men’s basketball game where attendees could choose a pennant with their favorite moniker on it earlier this month.

“It has been energizing to see so many members of the GW community participate in the development of our new moniker,” Vice President for Communications and Marketing Ellen Moran said. “As we begin this next phase of feedback, I hope all GW community members continue joining us in this deliberate and thoughtful process for developing the new moniker.”

The release states GW community members may “select” branded merchandise for each moniker finalist at athletic events and other on-campus events through the “Try It on For Size” Phase, which will run through April.

Officials announced a list of 10 moniker options in February – which include now-omitted options like Catalysts, Fireworks, Truth and Independents – after hosting student focus groups with Chicago-based marketing firm Yes& Lipman Hearne at the start of the semester.

Officials released a set of guiding principles for the new University moniker in January, which outline themes and personality traits the moniker should embody, like tenacity and “shaping the future,” formally closing the door on a Hippos moniker, which many students view as the unofficial mascot of GW.

The Board of Trustees will announce the new moniker by the 2023-24 academic year, officially retiring the Colonials moniker following years of pressure from student activists who said the moniker glorified the legacy of colonialism, slavery and racial discrimination.

More to Discover
About the Contributor
Ianne Salvosa, News Editor
Ianne Salvosa is a junior majoring in journalism and international affairs from Lake Saint Louis, Missouri. She is The Hatchet's 2023-2024 news editor for the Administration and Finance beat. She previously served as an assistant news editor for the Administration and Finance beat and a contributing news editor for the Academics and Administration beats for Vol. 119.
Donate to The GW Hatchet