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After months of research, public input, and thoughtful design, �鶹ԭ�� has officially unveiled its new mascot, Al the Gator. Students and employees gathered for a mascot reveal party on Aug. 18 at �鶹ԭ��’s Old Charlotte Highway campus.  

“This is a historic day for �鶹ԭ��, as we unveil our new mascot, Al the Gator. Al is both a tribute to the College’s history and a symbol of our exciting future. Thank you to all who participated in the mascot development process, and go alligators,” said President Dr. Stacy Waters-Bailey. 

The mascot was designed by Creative Services Manager Samantha Carvallo. To bring the mascot to life, Carvallo immersed herself in research — studying alligator behavior, symbolism, and anatomy, as well as exploring how other colleges and universities designed their mascots to build spirit and identity. She sketched multiple concepts, refining the details to reflect strength, energy, and approachability. The winning design, chosen by public vote, has an athletic build and friendly eyes.  

“This is such an exciting new chapter for �鶹ԭ��, and I am so honored to be a part of it,” Carvallo said. “Members of the �鶹ԭ�� community have spoken — and Al the Alligator is here to stay.” 

The project began with the Student Government Association, whose members championed the idea from the start.  

“Creating Al the Gator wasn’t a decision made just for the students — it was made with the students. We were involved from start to finish, and it’s amazing to see our ideas shape such an important part of �鶹ԭ��’s identity. Today is not only a mascot reveal, but a day that will be remembered in �鶹ԭ��’s history for years to come,” said SGA President Nyla White. 

Al’s story is rooted in local history. He’s inspired by a real alligator named Gatorboy who was discovered in a pond on what is now �鶹ԭ��’s LLP Campus in Polkton. Now 46 years old, Gatorboy lives at the North Carolina Zoo, where he can be found sunbathing and feasting on a diet of rats and different varities of fish. There was also a watch party held at the LLP campus for the mascot reveal- just a few feet away from where Gatorboy was discovered in the nineties. 

In 2019, Director of Library Services Dana Glauner wrote a children’s book starring Al the Gator, who discovers that the key to happiness is to be true to himself.  

The arrival of Al the Alligator marks more than just a new face for the school — it’s a milestone in �鶹ԭ��’s history, uniting students, employees, alumni, and the community under a shared symbol of pride, resilience, and tradition for years to come. 

“I’m so proud of Sam for the incredible creativity and dedication she poured into bringing our mascot to life,” said �鶹ԭ��’s Vice President of Marketing & Communications Rachel Colquitt. “This project is a perfect example of the talent and teamwork within our college, and it’s truly a moment in our history that fills me with excitement. Al the Alligator isn’t just a mascot — he’s a symbol of our spirit, our pride, and the amazing things that �鶹ԭ�� can accomplish together.”