The roadrunner for which Ramapo has been known will be replaced by the duck

Mahwah, NJ– In an historic move, Ramapo College has announced that the longtime Roadrunner mascot will be replaced by a new, more ecologically relevant and community-inspired symbol: the Duck.

The decision follows the recent interest students have for ducks, which caught the College’s attention after students began hiding and finding miniature duck figurines across campus. The  phenomenon, which has taken over social media, inspired the College’s leadership to reconsider its avian allegiances. As a school that values student voices, democracy, and engagement, administrators say the change was inevitable.

“We pride ourselves on fostering a culture where student voices take flight,” said Ramapo College President Cindy Jebb. “We look forward to embracing the future together and getting top billing as the college with the new duck mascot.”

The shift has received faculty support as well. “In early March, students in the birding club were eagerly going to Kameron Pond to check out the beautiful ring-necked ducks, hooded mergansers and common mergansers that stopped over to feed and rest for a couple of weeks before continuing their migration to their breeding grounds. And of course, we see resident mallards and Canada geese there all year round,” said Dr. Eric Wiener, associate professor of environmental science. “It makes sense to change the mascot from the greater roadrunner, which can generally only be seen in the wild in the southwestern United States and Mexico, to one of the beautiful species of birds that we see right here on campus.” 

A full rebranding effort will accompany the migration from Rocky the Roadrunner to the duck, who has yet to be named. The campus community is invited to name the new mascot. Suggestions can be submitted to the Name the RCNJ Mascot form or by visiting the Grove today during 9:30 – 11:00am or 1:00 – 2:30pm. Until a name is decided upon, Ramapo’s new feathered friend will be affectionately referred to as the Ramaduck. 

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College officials were initially concerned about stepping on the webbed feet of colleagues at Stevens Institute of Technology, whose mascot is the beloved Attila the Duck, a force to be reckoned with in the mascot world. In an honorable display of respect, Ramapo sought the approval of the change from University President Dr. Nariman Farvardin.

“As the home of Attila the Duck, Stevens has long recognized the strategic advantages of waterfowl mascots. We welcome Ramapo to the pond, though we must warn them that duck mascots require substantial bread budgets,” said Farvardin. 

Fowl Play or the Right Move

Change is not easy, and this one has ruffled the feathers of some alumni who have fond memories of Rocky the Roadrunner. One frustrated alum, who wants to remain anonymous, asked, “Whose bird-brain idea was this anyway? Is my alma mater just winging this decision?”

These are valid questions, as is wondering why Ramapo’s mascot is the roadrunner in the first place, given that the fastest flying bird on land is not even native to New Jersey. “When the college first opened, all of our athletics games had to be played at the opposing teams’ sites because Ramapo did not have fields yet,” said Jan Koslowsky, Ramapo Athletics director. “Since we were always on the road, we became the Roadrunners.”

Director of Admissions Anthony Dovi ‘05, who is also a proud alumnus, is excited about the change. “As an alum, I never imagined we’d see a change like this, but honestly, I think it’ll make a big splash with our prospective students!” 

Fortunately, many students share that feeling and have embraced the change, suggesting potential new slogans such as “Wings Up,” “Quack Attack,” and “Float Like a Feather, Win Like a Duck.”

Rest assured that the change will not erase Rocky the Roadrunner from the College’s history. Rocky will join Ricky and Fledge in the Mascot Fowl of Fame. 

Rocky, Ricky, and Fledge

Should Ramapo decide to change the mascot again in the future, Dr. Wiener already has a suggestion. “I have occasionally seen evidence of river otters around the Ramapo River, and I caught a  glimpse of one at the Ramapo Reservation several years ago. So if the campus community would prefer a mammal, it seems to me that the Ramapo River Otters has a nice ring to it.”

Celebrate all day:

• Waddle around The Grove and take pics with the ducks! Tag @ramapocollegenj in your social posts with the hashtags #Ramaduck and #WeAreRCNJ.
• Fly over to the table in The Grove to name the Ramaduck, get a tattoo, and a limited edition duck (while supplies last).
• Hug and take a photo with Rocky, who will be moping around campus. Students will get a free R donut from Dunkin’ for doing so.
• Meet the RCNJ Birding Club at The Arch at 1pm for a birdwatching walk around Kameron Pond.
• Grab limited edition specialty food and beverages! Visit Common Grounds for a Ramaduck Refresher drink, or hit up Dunkin’ to grab a yellow R donut or Ramaduck Frozen Lemonade, created by Dining Services, to commemorate this historic moment for Ramapo.
• Keep up with the RCNJ Instagram stories throughout the day for mascot trivia and prizes.

Bold changes like this don’t happen every day, except maybe today.