By RYAN SKAITH
North Central Missouri College (NCMC) marked a nostalgic milestone in its 100-year history on Monday, February 2, as it welcomed back its beloved mascot, Tessie, for a special Groundhog Day celebration.
Held at noon in front of the Neil and Susanne Nuttall Student Center, the event drew a large crowd of students, alumni, and community members eager to see the revival of a tradition that first began in the 1980s.
NCMC President Dr. Lenny Klaver opened the festivities by highlighting the importance of honoring campus spirit during the college’s Centennial Celebration. Trustee Don Dalrymple, one of the original founders of the tradition, provided a lively history of Tessie’s impact on campus culture throughout the 90s, while Trustee Diane Lowrey expressed gratitude to the planners who brought the event back to life.
The celebration took on official status when Mayor Jackie Soptic issued a proclamation declaring February 2 as “Trenton Tessie Groundhog Day” in the City of Trenton. This gesture underscored the deep-rooted connection between the college and the local community over the past century.
The highlight of the afternoon occurred when Tessie made her much-anticipated appearance from a custom-engineered burrow, designed by Industrial Technology Instructor Rick Sharp. To the delight of the shivering crowd, Tessie did not see her shadow, officially forecasting an early spring for North Missouri.
The event featured a touch of humor as original founder Joanna Anderson provided an “interpretation” of Tessie’s thoughts. The groundhog reportedly remarked on how much the campus had grown since her last appearance, expressing admiration for the modern developments at NCMC. Following the outdoor ceremony, attendees moved inside the student center to warm up with hot cocoa and cookies.
President Klaver praised the collaborative effort required to stage the revival, noting the contributions of the NCMC Maintenance crew, the Digital Media Crew, and the NCMC Foundation. “Bringing back this tradition gave us an opportunity to recognize the history and spirit of NCMC,” Klaver said. “I appreciate everyone who contributed to reviving this historic tradition.”
