"A Firefly by Any Other Name Would Still Glow as Brightly"
Item
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Title
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"A Firefly by Any Other Name Would Still Glow as Brightly"
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Description
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Rochester Evening School Mascot, from RIT Evening Student Association newsletter, The Image. September 1968 issue, From RIT Evening School Records, RIT Arc. 0476, Box 2, Folder 17
Shrouded in mystery and collective intrigue, a presumably under-appreciated mascot once laid claim to the RIT evening college. Neither tiger nor Techman, this being was brief and, nearly forgotten. But, as they should, these evening college memoirs live on; and with this recent finding, this topic will not dissipate so soon.
The mascot was discovered in a September issue of a 1968 RIT Evening Student Association newsletter known as The Image (RIT Arc. 0476, Box 2, Folder 17). Here, information about the school, different faculty, college events, general news, etc. is shared on a student-student platform. Since this is a newspaper that primarily addresses evening college activity, it only makes sense that it should advertise evening school customs—including, but not limited to, a personal mascot. What are the types of creatures you think of in the night? What nocturnal names do you know? Owls, bats, lemurs, cats—the list goes on. But what could present a bit more flare? Something flashy to get students excited. What symbol would serve this position better, than a firefly?
Fireflies are not only visually appealing, but also serve as a quiet source for inspiration. A sort of intrigue that could symbolize thought and knowledge. Wouldn’t this be an area of interest, one to inspire you to learn something as simple as: why does a firefly glow? What is the science behind that luminescence? What evolution caused such unique traits in these insects, and other creatures with seemingly similar qualities? Are they relatable to one another? RIT has always been an advocate of continued education. One pursues knowledge for the sake of learning, growing, and subsequently achieving more. Is a firefly mascot a small promotion of this precedent, or, perhaps, just a playful reminder that you’re a member of a community which takes their classes after the sun has set? While this little bug only held its reign for about four years, we'll hold belief that it was the latter. “A firefly by any other name would still glow as brightly,” (firefly.org).
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Contributor
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Eliza Harvey
