Skip to main contentSkip to footer content
Acorn-shaped mascot wearing green sleeves and pants standing in front of a white backdrop with the ESF logo.

Oakie the Acorn

ESF’s Oakie the Acorn Kicks Off 2025 With a New Look

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Jan. 22, 2025 – Fans of Oakie the Acorn, the mascot of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), turned out en masse Jan. 21 to see their beloved acorn’s new look.

Eden Gardner, president of the Mighty Oak Student Assembly (MOSA), welcomed more than 300 students, faculty, and staff to the event and introduced ESF President Joanie Mahoney.

Oakie has been an important part of ESF since 2010,” said Mahoney. “They welcomed you on your first visits to ESF, cheered you on at sporting events, celebrated Earth Week, and was SUNY’s Mascot Madness champion in 2017. With all that activity, Oakie has taken some time off for a well-deserved rest and a glow-up.”

And with that, she re-introduced Oakie to thunderous applause. Crowds of students cheered and smiled as Oakie burst into the room through a Mighty Oaks banner.

“We love you, Oakie!” yelled one group of Oakie faithful. Due to the crowd size, people toward the back of the room had to stand on their tippytoes to see Oakie’s new look.

“I didn’t know what to expect at first, but Oakie looks even more like an acorn now!” said one student. Many other attendees said they felt the same way.

The event wrapped up with a raffle of Oakie plushies, a long line of students taking pictures with their favorite college mascot, and asking for Oakie’s autograph. One group of friends had Oakie sign the back of their sweatshirts!

Oakie will be out and about this semester. Stop by their table at the Club and Involvement Fair, Jan. 24.

About SUNY ESF

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.

By Anna Carman, a writing intern in ESF’s Office of Communications and Marketing and a senior environmental studies major.