ONU students try to save the polar bear

ADA - As polar bears move closer to extinction, one local bear remains strong with much protection. In fact, he's lived more than three times as long as most.

Today, Klondike is inspiring Ohio Northern University students to save his fellow polar bears.

"We want to make students aware that the polar bear you love, he is more than just a mascot," Junior Amanda McKelvey said. "There are polar bears out there that are losing their homes every day."

Anyone who has been to ONU's stadium knows Klondike. The famous white polar bear, often the perfect model for photographs, sits just outside the stadium. Another is found in Dicke Hall. Others are on athletic uniforms and all kinds of memorabilia.

Campus groups hope Klondike will remind people of Polar Bear Nation, a new campaign to raise awareness of the threats to polar bears due to climate change in the arctic. The polar bear was placed on the endangered species list this past May. This year has been deemed the "year of the polar bear."

"The campaign is about what we do and how it affects the environment and how it affects polar bears," senior Katalyn Yenne said.

A series of events are planned throughout the school year. The first is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday when Steven Amstrup, world-renowned polar bear expert, will speak at the Freed Center for the Performing Arts. He will talk about "Polar Bear - Climate Change Sentinel."

ONU is one of only four universities in the country with a polar bear as its mascot. Students admit they weren't sure what to think when they became "polar bears."

"How do you have a fierce polar bear when most people see them as so cuddly and cute? The fighting polar bear doesn't really work," said McKelvey, although she was glad to be done with her high school mascot, the falcons. "I thought a polar bear was a lot better than a bird."

Ohio Northern took on the polar bear as its mascot in 1923. Faculty asked for suggestions, and one football player spoke up.

"I suggest the name Polar Bear. It is big, strong and is all white for purity," school records quoted Anthony Muto as saying. His suggestion was unanimously approved.

McKelvey thought maybe the name came because it's so cold in Ada.

"I think polar bears probably could survive out here," she said, although she thinks a polar bear's mothering yet fierce personality is a perfect match with ONU.

The polar bear has appeared in various forms over the years, both fierce and humorous, and was called Pipey in late 1970s. In 1998, his 75th birthday, the beloved bear became known as Klondike.

Klondike took off his scarf and donned a new look two years ago. A more regal and tougher polar bear now represents the school.

"It changed the view of students on campus from being fluffy or whatever, to ‘we are the polar bears, we are fierce and can hold our own,'" Yenne said.

Future events throughout the year will include other speakers, a Polar Bear Day for children and a symphony performance.

YEAR OF THE POLAR BEAR

What: Steven Amstrup, polar bear expert

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Where: ONU's Freed Center, Ada