NFC Unveils New Mascot, Asks Alumni, Students, Faculty, and Staff to Help Name
MADISON, FL – Since North Florida College’s name change in 2019, previously North Florida Community College, a methodical effort was taken to rebrand the image of the College, including its mascot. After many years of anticipation, the NFC Sentinel is now represented by three distinct characters: The Horse, Spaniard, and Halberd.
Approved during the NFC Board of Trustees meeting on November 21, 2023, and revealed to faculty and staff on January 5, 2024, the new mascot is the personification of what an NFC Sentinel represents: preparation, strength, and confidence. The mascot is symbolic of cherished Florida and local history, coupled with NFC pride and tradition.
In April of 2019, the Office of Communications, then College Advancement, was directed by the Board to modernize the historical Sentinel mascot. The Office partnered with a marketing and communications agency to conduct research and include past surveys from students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The result was a rebranded seal and logo. Both included the Halberd; a symbol akin to the one placed in the College’s original 1958 seal. Yet, efforts were paused to move forward with a mascot.
In 2023, the Office sought to provide NFC with a mascot to better enhance the College’s brand identity, increase engagement with its audience, and create a collegiate spirit for students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the six counties NFC serves.
The goal of creating a mascot was achieved by consolidating research, retaining consistency with the current NFC brand and imagery of the Halberd, and respecting the Board directive for a modern yet historic representative.
NFC will ask alumni, students, faculty, and staff to help name each character represented. If you are an NFJC, NFCC, or NFC alumni and would like to help name the mascot, please email your contact information to the NFC Foundation at alumni@nfc.edu.
Plans are underway to officially introduce the NFC Sentinel mascot for the 2024 Fall Semester.
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