This exhibition explored a DU timeline of mascots, nicknames, and branding and the changes over its 150-year history. “Pioneer” has not always been the nickname, and Denver Boone was not the first mascot. DU’s traditions have changed considerably over time, and these changes have largely been student-driven.
This exhibition was a collaborative effort between the Curator of Special Collections and Archives, the Student Outreach Librarian, and I. It was a simple but effective design. It focused on the sensitive issues of cultural appropriation, representation, and settler colonialism, but it was positively received by both staff and students.
January 16, 2021 – November 17, 2021
Madison Sussmann 