Olympia
Bryn Mawr College’s Mascot
From Mount Olympus to the fields, courts, and classrooms of Bryn Mawr, Olympia brings wisdom, spirit, and pride to the Mawrter community.
Meet Olympia
Species: Great Horned Owl
Nickname: Olly
Pronouns: She/They
Origin: Mount Olympus
Age: Perpetually young and wise
Olly embodies Bryn Mawr’s traditions of knowledge, courage, and community. Wise, confident, fearless, and free-spirited, Olly is always ready to hype up her fellow Mawrters. Whether it’s at a swim meet or a poster presentation, you can count on Olly to celebrate the hard work and heart behind every achievement.
Why an Owl?
In Greek mythology, the owl (Athene Noctua) represents Athena, goddess of wisdom and Bryn Mawr’s patron. The bird has long stood as a symbol of knowledge, discernment, and vision. At Bryn Mawr, Olly carries forward that legacy as a beacon of confidence, resilience, and leadership.
What’s in a Name?
A lot! When the College decided it was time for a new mascot, we wanted to make sure it reflected the spirit of our students. Voting on the name occurred during May and June of 2024 in three rounds: round one included 2023-24 academic year student-athletes, round two included the entire 2023-24 academic year undergraduate student body, and the third round consisted of staff and faculty of the Bryn Mawr Athletics Department. With more than 530 individual votes, Olympia (Olly) was the winning name!
