The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1887 and is the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States. One distinctive aspect of any university is its mascot, a symbol that represents the spirit and identity of the institution. However, unlike many other universities, the Catholic University of America does not have an official mascot. While the lack of a mascot may seem unusual, it is rooted in the Catholic tradition and values that shape the university.
One need not be a gender studies major to recognize the fear of female sexuality behind the New England witch hunts, but Eggers plays this with subtlety – if for no other reason than his primary concern is frightening the pants off you. Using jump scares only when absolutely necessary, The Witch is more reminiscent of Cristian Mungiu’s Beyond the Hills than any typical American horror flick. Which is not to say things don’t go completely off the rails by the final third. (Malick’s The New World meets The Exorcist is as fine an elevator pitch as any.)
After a few days William declares the child dead, dragged off by a wolf, though we know the truth he was snatched by a witch, one we see only in flashes of quite alarming imagery. Released in 2015 in the US and 2016 in the UK, The Witch A New England Folktale is soon to be released on DVD and Blu-Ray in the UK, having been in theatres in March.
While the lack of a mascot may seem unusual, it is rooted in the Catholic tradition and values that shape the university. As a Catholic institution, the focus is on academic excellence and the teachings of the Catholic faith rather than on promoting a specific mascot or symbol. Instead of a mascot, the Catholic University of America identifies itself through its name and emblem.
Sundance 2015 review: The Witch – a focus on themes over plot elevate it to near greatness
T he first Puritan settlers in North America left England to pursue their strict religious doctrine. So you could imagine how extreme a man who felt he had to leave that community to live a more ascetic life would be.
The Witch, the first feature from an abundantly talented writer/director named Robert Eggers, is terrifying well before any intimations of the supernatural. Using the flowery language of the time (we’re not past the three-minute mark before we hear “banish-shed”) an eerie self-exiled 1630s New England family goes about its daily ritual in a haze of religious fundamentalism. In time we learn their names – the scraggly haired father William (Ralph Ineson), his sour wife Katherine (Kate Dickie), eldest daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), verge-of-puberty son Caleb (Harvey Scrimshaw), somewhat rowdy twins Mercy and Jonas (Ellie Grainger and Lucas Dawson) and baby Sam. Beyond their small farm, which is currently failing to produce corn, there’s a brook and, beyond that, naturally, a deep, foreboding wood.
By the water one day, Thomasin is playing peekaboo with the baby when, although her eyes are closed only an instant, the infant disappears. After a few days William declares the child dead, dragged off by a wolf, though we know the truth: he was snatched by a witch, one we see only in flashes of (quite alarming) imagery. What’s stranger is that, somehow, the children seem to know this, too.
Following the disappearance of the child and the continued poor showing of crops, the family, while quick with prayers and pious expression, slowly begins to implode. What begins as joking (like whispering to a black goat) turns to suspicions of nefarious behavior. Soon one wonders if there really is a devil with a book to sign lurking just beyond the perimeter of their meagre home.
Thomasin and Caleb’s bond is special. They are both aware enough to recognize that perhaps their father’s extreme austerity may not be a true path, but their indoctrination conflicts them. Caleb can barely remember his early childhood in England, and is terrified that his unbaptized infant brother’s soul did not ascend to heaven. His unspoken desire to return to the community is also drawn from fear; if he isn’t praying the right way, perhaps he will end up damned. Add to this some cabin fever over Thomasin’s no longer deniable nubile nature, and you’ve got a recipe for Puritan problems.
One need not be a gender studies major to recognize the fear of female sexuality behind the New England witch hunts, but Eggers plays this with subtlety – if for no other reason than his primary concern is frightening the pants off you. Using jump scares only when absolutely necessary, The Witch is more reminiscent of Cristian Mungiu’s Beyond the Hills than any typical American horror flick. Which is not to say things don’t go completely off the rails by the final third. (Malick’s The New World meets The Exorcist is as fine an elevator pitch as any.)
What’s striking is the high-wire tension Eggers maintains. The dense language, some taken directly from period journals, luxuriates in a poetic surrealism. “Did ye make an unholy bond with that goat? Speak if this be pretence!” is just one of the many choice phrases that, somehow, this assured cast is able to make sound natural. Eggers has a knack for unusual framing, using negative space to add to the unease. The picture looks as if it were shot using only available light and if that means some moments come off dark, we’re only just as spooked as the characters.
Anyone who spoils the ending deserves anguish in eternal fire, but I will say The Witch is one of those very satisfying films whose conclusion somehow manages to be surprising but feel altogether perfect. This movie may be too slow and verbose to be the next breakout horror hit, but its focus on themes over plot is what elevates it to something near greatness.
Explore more on these topics- Sundance film festival 2015
- First look review
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- The Witch
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The university's official seal features a cross surrounded by a laurel wreath, symbolizing its Catholic and academic heritage. This emblem is displayed on university merchandise, uniforms, and official documents. Although not having an official mascot may be seen as unconventional, the Catholic University of America adheres to its Catholic identity and emphasizes the importance of academic pursuit over symbols or mascots. The university encourages students, faculty, and staff to find unity and pride in their shared Catholic faith and intellectual pursuits. While there are no official mascots, individual departments, sports teams, and organizations at the university may adopt their own unofficial mascots or emblems to represent their specific identity or purpose. These unofficial mascots often take the form of animals or characters that are unique to the department or organization. In conclusion, the Catholic University of America does not have an official mascot, as it places a greater emphasis on its Catholic identity and academic pursuits. The lack of a mascot does not diminish the university's spirit or sense of pride; rather, it highlights the focus on its core values and mission to provide a transformative education rooted in Catholic tradition..
Reviews for "From Concept to Reality: The Creation Process of the Catholic University of America Mascot"
1. John - 1 star rating
I was really disappointed with the mascot of the Catholic University of America. It was just a bland, generic eagle costume that lacked any creativity or uniqueness. It didn't even represent the values or identity of the university at all. I expected something much more inspiring and visually appealing. Overall, I felt like the mascot was a missed opportunity to create a memorable symbol for the university.
2. Sarah - 2 stars rating
The Catholic University of America's mascot was quite underwhelming for me. It seemed like they put little effort into designing it. The eagle costume was old and worn-out, lacking any vibrant colors or energy. The performance during the games was also lackluster, with the mascot barely engaging with the crowd. I think the university should consider revamping their mascot to better reflect their spirit and rejuvenate the fans' enthusiasm.
3. Mark - 1 star rating
I found the Catholic University of America's mascot to be completely unremarkable. It was just a person dressed up as an eagle, with no distinctive features or character. The costume itself looked cheap and poorly made, and the lack of creativity was disappointing. As a student, I expected a mascot that would ignite school spirit and pride, but this one fell flat. I hope the university puts more effort into creating a mascot that truly represents the values and aspirations of the community.
4. Emily - 2 stars rating
The mascot of the Catholic University of America was nothing special. It was a generic representation of an eagle, lacking any personal touch or unique details. I think a mascot should be memorable and able to rally the crowd, but this one failed to do that. There was no sense of energy or excitement during the games, and it felt like the mascot was just going through the motions. I believe a university mascot should be a symbol of pride and unity, and unfortunately, this one didn't deliver on that front.