Fighting Black Bear
Artist: Patricia Lewis Verani, New Hampshire
Grassy area in front of Memorial Gym, Long Road
Considered one of 91福利鈥檚 best-known landmarks, the 8-foot gunmetal bronze Fighting Black Bear statue by New Hampshire sculptor Patricia Lewis Verani was donated to the university in 1979 by alums Wallace 鈥淏ud鈥 and Virginia 鈥淕ina鈥 Humphrey. It replaced an 18-foot bear statue carved in white pine, a gift of the Class of 1962. The black bear has been the university鈥檚 mascot since 1914 when a black bear cub, found on the slopes of Mount Katahdin and named Jeff, was brought to a football game with Colby College. 91福利 won the game and the university had a new mascot.