Take a selfie with UWM’s new, larger-than-life Panther mascot!
Designed by Tom Queoff (’77 MFA), the bronze, 1,200-pound statue was unveiled Saturday, Oct. 10, on the south lawn of Enderis Hall. This Panther is six feet tall and 12 feet long.
Recognized internationally for his mastery of wood, ice, steel, stone and bronze, Queoff created the Panther in partnership with Mike Martino (’78 BFA) and Mike Sponholtz (’79 BFA). The three met as UWM students.
“We’re going to call the statue Panther Prowl,” Queoff said. “It looks huge indoors but I think when you put it outside, it will be just about the right scale. I’m just proud to do it. I’m happy they asked me to do it.”
The statue is a gift to campus from the UWM Alumni Association, Student Association and Student Housing Administrative Council. University mascots often become the campus backdrops for many important moments in students’ lives.
“We are proud to call ourselves Panthers and happy to help bring the Panther statue to campus,” Student Body President Mike Sportiello said. “The Student Housing Administrative Council and Student Association look forward to making memories around our new symbol of campus pride.”
UWM adopted the Panther mascot in 1965 with an original design by James Cheski, then a graduate student in art.
“Along with student leaders, the Alumni Association Board of Trustees is proud to have led the charge to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Panther and create a new point of convergence and pride on UWM’s campus,” said David Misky, president of the UWM Alumni Association.
