FROM ONU FACEBOOK - Ohio Northern’s favorite polar bear, Klondike, was actually three students this school year, as Matthew Morgan, Savannah Carter and Jillian Sugden unmasked this month.
Here’s their stories:
Matthew Morgan is earning a Psychology major and double minors of Applied Statistics and French. He became a Klondike the spring of his freshman year.
Matthew has been Klondike for every Welcome Weekend since his sophomore year.
“It was by far my favorite event that I participated in because of the fun, chaotic nature of the weekend. It was especially amusing when parents made their new students take pictures with me, even though their students did so reluctantly.
In the end, I hope things like Welcome Weekend and sappy pictures with Klondike are memories that people will cherish in the future.”
Keeping the Klondike secret is tricky, especially when you are in a fraternity. Matthew knows some of his fraternity brothers have been guessing he is a Klondike for quite some time. “I hope they feel very happy with themselves if they are reading this!”
Jillian Sugden has been a Klondike since her sophomore year at ONU. She will graduate this spring as a management major with a minor in business analytics.
Her favorite memory of playing Klondike happened at the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio (AICUO) Mascot Day at the Ohio Statehouse.
“I lost count of how many dance battles I was told to participate in with the other mascots, but it was a blast!”
Dome of Jillian’s closest friends did not know she was Klondike.
“The funniest part of being Klondike was coming up with super random excuses for why I wouldn’t be places and then going as Klondike and seeing all of my friends. I would have to pretend like I wasn’t there when they would tell me stories!” she says.
Savannah Carter’s best memory of playing Klondike happened during one of her first events.
It was Homecoming and a couple got engaged on the football field during half time. Klondike (Savannah) was there to take pictures and celebrate.
Savannah received her invitation to be a Klondike the spring of her freshman year.
She will graduate this spring as a double major in physics and secondary science education. For four years, she kept her secret safe even from family.
Savannah’s brother and sister-in-law went to Ohio Northern, but did not know Savannah played Klondike.
“I got to go to many events and see them even when they did not know I was Klondike boppin around the stadium!”
The aspect of playing Klondike she will miss the most is the community of the Klondikes.
Because of the uniqueness and secrecy of the club, “the bears” grow quite close. “I'm going to miss my fellow seniors the most, but much love to all the other secret bears still prowling around campus!” she says.
