Party hats, cupcakes and huskies — the beloved mascot at the University of Connecticut, Jonathan XIV, celebrated his 12th birthday in the center of campus with cheerful students on Friday, Oct. 3.
Hundreds of students gathered outside the Student Union to share the special day with Jonathan.
“The sheer happiness that you see on faces when they come to a dog’s birthday party speaks a lot to the UConn community and the joy that everybody has for Jonathan,” Jessica Sokol said, the advisor to the Student Alumni Association (SAA) and employee of the Office of Alumni Relations at UConn.
Throughout the day, students could participate in other celebratory activities, such as “Stuff-a-Husky,” and receiving hand drawn caricatures. Jonathan XIV was seen trotting around campus during the events.
“We’re a school that actually is fortunate enough to have a live mascot,” Sokol said. “We like the idea of being able to put Jonathan out there for people.”
An extensive line of students patiently waited outside the Student Union to receive a birthday hat with Jonathan’s face pictured, eat blue frosted cupcakes and sign birthday wishes on a poster for the mascot. Jonathan waited in the center circle, relaxed and ready to take pictures with students.
“Having an event like this, it’s not only good for the dogs to be able to show their support for the school, but it’s good for the students to show their support for what they take pride in,” said Chris Levasseur, Husky Cochair of Alpha Phi Omega, and seventh semester material science and engineering major.
APO is a National Coed Community Service Fraternity. The APO chapter at UConn includes the Husky Committee, which is responsible for taking care of the living Jonathan mascots.
Jonathan’s birthday party was cohosted by the SAA and APO.
Members of UConn Choirs were also present at the event, singing a chorus-style arrangement of “Happy Birthday” to Jonathan. Students joined along in singing, surrounding the choir and the dog in a circle.
“[The party] definitely helps foster school spirit,” Ella Gregory said as president of SAA and a seventh semester marketing major. “How many people sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to their schools’ mascot?”
UConn can seem like such a huge campus at some times, but seeing everyone come together and celebrate Jonathan — who we all love — is just so special each year
Ella Gregory, President of Student Alumni Association
A mixed crowd of freshmen to seniors and alumni came to show their support for the UConn mascot. People walked around the event wearing their Jonathan party hats and some could be seen on campus hours later with them still on.
“Just getting everybody out here in the center, getting involved, doing trivia, just seeing everybody and all the faces is really great for building community,” said Marisa Rodenberger, a third semester chemical engineering major.
According to Sokol, with the celebration of his fourth birthday in 2017, Jonathan’s birthday party has become a tradition on campus.
“UConn can seem like such a huge campus at some times, but seeing everyone come together and celebrate Jonathan — who we all love — is just so special each year,” Gregory said.
Gregory and Levasseur have both attended or been involved with Jonathan’s birthday parties since their freshman years.
Jonathan enjoyed an early birthday celebration on Friday afternoon, with his actual birthday landing on Sunday, Oct. 5. The tradition will carry on to Jonathan XV, who will be celebrating his third birthday in April.
“Happy Birthday Jonathan!” Gregory said.