What Is The Mascot Of Transylvania University?

Transylvania University, founded in 1780, is the oldest institution of higher learning west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university’s mascot, Raf, pays homage to its legendary professor, Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, a charismatic naturalist whose tomb is on the first floor of the main building. The university seal, created in 1909, bears the university’s motto, “In Lumine illo Tradimus Lumen”, or “In That Light, We Pass On the Light”.

Transylvania University announced a new Pioneer athletic mascot, Raf, in December 2017, which pays homage to Rafinesque’s big-eared bat. These Kentucky forest dwellers with freakishly large listeners play an important role in the university’s history. In recent years, there has been pushback against mascots that present a challenge to the university’s identity.

Despite the athletic mascot being Raf the bat since 2017, Transylvania’s sports teams still go by the name “Pioneers”. Some have argued that this change is unjustified, as it adds to the confusion and confusion surrounding the university’s name change. The university’s mascot, Raf, is named after Rafinesque’s big-eared bat, one of thousands of species he managed to discover.

In summary, Transylvania University has decided to honor its legendary professor, Rafinesque, with a new mascot, Raf, in honor of the university’s founder.