For the first time in more than 35 years, Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City has a new nickname.
The NMC Board of Trustees unanimously voted to formally adopt Hawk Owls as the college's nickname at their Monday meeting.
Michigan's oldest community college has not had a nickname since it dropped intercollegiate sports in 1976.
According to a news release from NMC, the Hawk Owl pays tribute to the college's previous nickname, Tomahawks, and owls have long served as a symbol of wisdom.
The college says it conducted polls through events, newsletters and Facebook.
The final results had the Hawk Owl with 36% of the vote, compared to 24% for the Black Squirrel, 23% for the Bison and 17% for the Pine Marten
