For freshman Marisa Jones, coming to a school whose mascot is the beloved elephant of big-top pioneer P.T. Barnum seems like nothing less than fate.
"It's amazing," Jones said. "Jumbo the elephant being the mascot of Tufts just seals the deal on why this school is perfect for me: Jumbo was the Barnum and Bailey circus elephant, and I perform circus!"
Even if not all incoming freshmen have a love of the circus, other members of the Class of 2009 are already proud to be pachyderms.
"Jumbo is a fine mascot," freshman Max Bridges said. "There's something very offbeat for one of the best universities in the world to have a circus elephant as its mascot. I'm a rather offbeat person ... this whole thing fits me quite well."
"As far as having Jumbo as the mascot, I'm actually really glad," echoed freshman Joanna Wroblewski. "I appreciate eccentricity and originality. Needless to say, a taxidermied circus elephant fits that description! Besides, elephants are smart, resilient, tough and social animals. A circus elephant has all those qualities, as well as style and charisma. So, why not Jumbos?"
Freshman Frank Moda couldn't agree more. "I think Jumbo the elephant is a terrific and distinctive mascot," Moda said. "The elephant symbolizes great strength, wit, longevity, happiness, good luck, and ambition - and also the Republican party."
Moda is aware, however, that not all of his fellow freshmen may share his enthusiasm for P.T. Barnum's six-ton pet.
"For those students still not convinced of how fortunate we Jumbos are, be glad you aren't the Delta State Fighting Okra, the California State Banana Slugs or the Scottsdale Artichokes," he said.
Freshman Dan Albert isn't convinced. "The elephant is a strong and majestic animal," he said. "But seriously, as a mascot?"
