George, newest Bulldogs mascot, makes his debut
George, with his chocolate fur, bright blue eyes and spotty ear, is settling into his new role as the bulldog mascot for University of Redlands.
The university announced George’s arrival on May 6 and since then, he’s been busy touring the campus and meeting students and faculty.
Friday, university officials revealed the pup’s full name: George Willis.
His first name honors the university’s fifth president, George Henry Armacost, who spent 25 years in leadership from 1945 to 1970, and his second name, chosen by community vote, is a tribute to the Willis Center that was named for longtime Chair of the Trustee Student Life Committee Arthur B. Willis.
George is the university’s eighth bulldog mascot. In 1917, the university said in a news release, the institution embraced the bulldog as the living embodiment of the strength, loyalty and tenacity that drives its students’ success.
The young mascot follows in the steps of Adelaide, who was named the university’s first female mascot in 2018. She retired earlier this year.
George is still settling in with his handlers, Joe Modica and Candice Stewart, who live in Redlands with their four children, according to the university. Modica is director of the university’s School of Music and Stewart is a freelance producer in the entertainment industry and real estate agent. Together, the couple direct Redlands Theatre Festival performances, volunteer for Redlands Symphony events and participate in many community activities.
George will spend the next several weeks familiarizing himself with the campus and training for his mascot role, the university said in a news release. He will make a few appearances on campus over the summer and assume full mascot duties in the fall.
To follow George’s adventures on campus, check out @URMascot on Twitter and Instagram.