What Made Clark Atlanta University Decide To Adopt The Panthers As Their Mascot?

Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is an African-American liberal arts college that enrolls about 5,000 students annually and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees through its five schools: Arts and Sciences, Business. Established in 1988, CAU was formed by the consolidation of two independent historically black institutions, Atlanta University and Clark College. The university’s iconic mascot, the “Mighty Panther”, symbolizes strength, power, resilience, and determination.

Founded in 1869, Clark College was the first four-year liberal-arts institution in the country dedicated to serving African-American students. The university’s varsity sports teams, nicknamed the Panthers, compete in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). School colors are red, black, and gray.

Clark Atlanta University is committed to fostering academic excellence, promoting social responsibility, embracing diversity, encouraging leadership development, and empowering students. The Panther became the official student newspaper of Clark College in 1945, and the university has a significant collection of twentieth-century African American art currently held at CAU.

The unveiling of the Panther as the official student newspaper of Clark College is an effort by the national bobblehead museum to give HBCUs across the U.S. more representation in the figurine world. CAU is a culturally diverse, research-intensive, liberal arts institution that prepares and transforms the lives of students.

Clark Atlanta University is also a leader in the licensed sports world, providing timeless gifts for fans of their favorite teams. Ayden Hairrison, one of the newest scholars at CAU, chose CAU to be surrounded by the spirit of resilience and determination.