Ursinus’ beloved mascot, Zach the Bear, invites everyone to his first ever birthday party Saturday October 26th! With the campus buzzing with events surrounding Homecoming weekend, students and alumni alike will have the chance to stop by Kaleidoscope Plaza from 11:45-12:45 to say hi to the birthday bear. Activities will include carnival games, coloring sheets, birthday cake, face painting, bubbles, and music. For any alumni bringing along their Bear cubs, a meet and greet with the birthday bear is the perfect way to keep the little ones occupied!
“Homecoming is one of the longest standing traditions at Ursinus! Incorporating the bear’s birthday brings school spirit to Ursinus on the day of [the] event,” commented Alex Bieleski, Assistant Director for Alumni Engagement. And no one knows school spirit like Aidan Nadell ’25, the not-so-secret wearer of the bear suit.
Nadell was one of the biggest inspirations for the event. He wanted to bring to life “who” the bear really is. Before commencement of the birthday party could begin, an official name for the mascot had to be established. “We put a lot of thought into what the name would be. There’s been The Grizz thrown around, Zachie, Zacharias,” said Nadell. With an official name now in the books, going further in creating a type of character for the bear is possible. “These conversations started in the spring when I realized that my birthday is next Friday on the 25th. All I want for my birthday is for the mascot to have a name. So, how do we get that done? Throw a birthday party for the mascot!” remarked Nadell. With Ursinus’ plans of continuing Zach the Bear’s birthday on Homecoming weekend for years to come, Nadell hopes the name will help carry on the legacy he helped build. “I want to be able as an alumni to come back and see they’re still doing great things with this.”
Any alumni who have taken on the mantle of the bear suit are also being celebrated. With current bears-intraining for next year’s mascot duties, the Admissions Office is ensuring the passion and drive Nadell brings to Zach will be carried on each year. Ursinus intends to celebrate Zach the Bear’s birthday for years to come, honoring our beloved mascot and his wearers!