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College mascot visits campus

Students gather to meet "Hughie" the camel.

May 15, 2008

A dromedary strolling down Cro Boulevard caused a few double takes Wednesday morning, but it was all in a day´s work for "Hughie," a 22-year-old camel from Waterbury, Conn. Hughie spent about three hours on the Connecticut College campus to star in a promotional video for next year´s Fall Weekend celebration. He was filmed in front of campus landmarks, being petted by enthusiastic students and poking his head into a first-floor window of Plant House residence hall, where resident Phoebe Bakanas ´10 fed him carrots, one of his favorite foods.

President Leo I. Higdon Jr. took a short break to meet the camel and lead him through the tunnel of flowering apple trees in front of Fanning. Martha Merrill ´84, dean of Admission and Financial Aid, also took a turn, walking Hughie around the winged victory statue and across the street to the Admissions building. Students snapped pictures on their cameras and cell phones and summoned friends to the scene via text message.

Hughie´s visit was arranged by alumna Ruth Manecke ´52, owner of All Creatures Great and Small, an animal agency that supplies animals for commercials, television shows, movies and special occasions. Manecke, a zoology major at Connecticut College, started her career at the Bronx Zoo and later was producer and staff zoologist on the long-running children´s show "Captain Kangaroo." Manecke was thrilled to make the arrangements for Wednesday´s visit. "This means so much to me because it´s my alma mater," she said.

For a slideshow of the camel´s visit, click here.

For more information contact: Amy Martin (860) 439-2526; a.martin@conncoll.edu