Observed a Unique Squirrel with White Fur
New Student Discovers Oberlin College's White Squirrel Mascot
During a busy rush to an electric vehicle carshare location, a third-year student at Oberlin College had an unexpected encounter that left a lasting impression. The student, who was about to return to Oregon for the summer, stumbled upon Oberlin's famous white squirrel mascot, known as Yeobie.
The student had never seen a white squirrel before this year, despite numerous sightings by some students and professors around the campus. The individual was thrilled at the prospect of future students getting the opportunity to witness this distinctive creature.
Oberlin's white squirrels, the official mascot since 2014, are typically found around the campus grounds, particularly near wooded areas and green spaces, along pathways, and close to buildings near the center of campus. While there is no guaranteed spot for sightings, these squirrels are known to roam freely and can sometimes approach quietly.
The student had their first sighting of a white squirrel around three weeks prior, during a bird-watching excursion with an ornithology class. On this occasion, they spotted the squirrel digging in the gravel, seemingly burying or unearthing food. The student stayed to observe the squirrel for a significant amount of time, taking in every detail before it moved away.
The student felt seeing a white squirrel on campus was a substantial event and wanted to share the experience with the world. They informed another student about the presence of a white squirrel around the corner and even captured a video of the encounter.
The student's encounter with the white squirrel occurred at a time when they felt a stronger sense of belonging and community at Oberlin College. This encounter, along with a course project about the history and present of Oberlin's white squirrel mascot, has only strengthened their connection to the college.
Interestingly, there is a student superstition at Oberlin College that you won't graduate if you don't see a white squirrel, and some believe you won't graduate if you don't see one in your first year. One of the interview questions posed to Resident Assistants (RAs) at Oberlin College is "How many times have you seen the white squirrel?"
Despite the mascot, Yeobie, being depicted as an albino squirrel with red eyes, the squirrels living on campus are simply white with black eyes. The student's sighting serves as a reminder of the beauty and uniqueness of these creatures that call Oberlin College home.
As the student prepares to leave Oberlin for the summer, they can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for their time at the college. The sighting of the white squirrel has left a lasting impression, a symbol of the memories and experiences they've had during their time at Oberlin.
The student, in their final weeks at Oberlin College, discovered the allure of home-and-garden life’s diminutive residents, the white squirrels, adding a unique chapter to their lifestyle. Oberlin's white squirrels, a cherished symbol of the college, continue to captivateStudents and faculty, offering a remarkable home-and-garden spectacle within the urban campus grounds.
