GARDNER — Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) introduced its new mascot, Monty the Mountain Lion, during a campus celebration on April 29.

The event featured food, entertainment and a first glimpse of Monty in action, marking a new chapter for the college as it retired its longtime mascot, Marty.

Monty has already made additional appearances in the community, attending the Graduation Bash on May 5 and going to MWCC’s Leominster campus May 6.

“The decision to re-brand from Marty to Monty came from a desire to refresh MWCC’s mascot in a way that truly connects with today’s students and reflects the college’s evolving brand,” said Stephanie England, director of marketing and communications.

“I wanted the mascot to have a more prominent, visual presence across marketing, recruitment, and student engagement efforts — something we hadn’t fully tapped into before,” she added.

England shared that the design process behind Monty began with identifying what was missing.

“The former mascot (Marty) lacked clear branding, a backstory and a defined purpose and history, so our first step was to build a strong foundation: a unique personality, symbolic meaning and an origin story,” she said.

According to England, feedback from students, staff and alumni was key to creating Monty’s final look and identity.

MWCC partnered with a creative agency to develop seven concepts for Monty’s character, and a costume company to bring him to life. Students in the college’s Graphic and Interactive Design programs helped finalize the logo, and the Student Government Association submitted name ideas.

“The planning team ran a three-phase survey: first to pick the animal and story that resonated most, then to choose the best visual style, and finally to vote on a name,” England explained.

Monty’s initial debut was met with positive feedback from the community.

“At Grad Bash, the photo line quickly grew, with students eagerly waiting for their turn to pose with Monty and fun graduation props,” said England. “It was a clear sign of how much enthusiasm Monty is already generating and just the beginning of his impact as the newest member of the MWCC family.

“For current students, Monty serves as a unifying figure, someone they connect with at events and follow on social media. For future students, Monty embodies a warm, inclusive, and energetic spirit that makes MWCC feel like more than just a college — it feels like family.”

Monty will remain active at upcoming campus and community events. Monty-themed merchandise and content are also on the way.

The new mascot role is a paid and formal campus position. Due to the tight turnaround before end-of-year events, MWCC called in a favor from one of its student ambassadors, who filled in temporarily. England said auditions for Monty will be held after commencement to select the best representative(s) for the job moving forward.

“By giving Monty a strong, adaptable identity, the college can use him to connect with younger audiences, support recruitment efforts, and build brand continuity across all platforms for years to come,” said England.