Creating a TCL Mascot

Update: Voting has closed! we’ll be back soon to announce TCL’s mascot!

Introducing the final four! Cast your vote for your favorite.

A note of thanks: Thank you for all the thoughtful and creative suggestions for TCL’s new mascot. With hundreds of submissions from students, alumni, employees and community members, the response was incredible. It was apparent that many of you put a great deal of thought into your submission, and we were thrilled to see so many ideas that connected to TCL and the Lowcountry.

What we did: Submissions were narrowed down to a set of finalists based on vote count and criteria such as the mascot’s uniqueness, its connection to TCL and the community and/or its “fun factor.” (We eliminated mascots already in-use by another area college or school.)

Next steps: Now, it’s your turn to vote for your favorite and help us choose the winner. Keep in mind TCL’s mascot will be a point of pride for years to come. We will be back later this summer with a fully developed design and officially introduce TCL’s new mascot name and logo. In 2024, we will bring the mascot to life in costume form at a campus near you.

Here are the four finalists listed in alphabetical order. Each includes a brief explanation and additional context to assist in your decision. Voting open through May 31.

Option #1:
TCL Jumbo Shrimp

Shrimp aren’t just a tasty delicacy, this seafood favorite is a way of life here in the Lowcountry where shrimp boats often define the scenery.

An undeniable economic force, shrimp are found in abundance along our coast, and shrimping has provided income for generations in the area. Plus, who could forget Bubba’s ode to its versatility in the movie “Forrest Gump,” filmed here in Beaufort: “…Shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it…”

While the jumbo shrimp is hardly the biggest creature in the sea, it’s certainly the one that’s captivated our hearts the most – proving time and again that big things come in small packages!

Whatever your preference, one thing is true: the mighty shrimp makes the most of whatever situation it’s in – and that’s usually at the center of the party.

Option #2:
TCL Loggerheads

A longtime favorite of the Lowcountry, the mighty loggerhead turtle has captured the hearts and minds of residents and visitors alike.

These ancient mariners are the most widespread and commonly found sea turtle in the Southeastern United States and were named South Carolina’s official state reptile in 1988. As an endangered species, the loggerhead relies on the community to protect its environment and future.

Hatchlings enter the ocean by navigating toward the brightest horizon – often created by the reflection of the moon and stars over the water, emblematic of TCL students who are striving toward a brighter future.

Determined, stalwart, strong and majestic, loggerheads are the embodiment of TCL’s perseverance and personal fortitude.

Option #3:
TCL Tides

One of the more unique aspects of the Technical College of the Lowcountry and its four campuses is their physical proximity to the South Carolina coast, her rivers and estuaries.

The surrounding tides are a steady constant – an immovable force of nature to be respected, never underestimated, much like our students, alumni, faculty and staff.

As the saying goes, “A rising tide lifts all boats” and at TCL, we believe this is especially true. Education and training are the keys to lifting our students, our workforce, our community and our economy. As the premier workforce development resource in the region, TCL is the tide that lifts all boats.

To paraphrase our Alma Mater, we “…Turn dreams into realities. Conquer possibilities. Reach far and wide and rise like the tide(s).”

Option #4:
TCL Tomatoes

Our students aren’t ordinary or run of the mill, so why should our mascot be any different?

The mighty tomato is as versatile as it is bold and bright – just like our students. It performs under pressure in the heat of the day and shines brighter on the vine than anything else around it.

What’s more, the iconic tomato has a long and storied history in the South with a special connection to the South Carolina Lowcountry. Tomatoes were first grown on American soil along the coast of Georgia and the Carolinas as far back as the 1600s.

Today, tomato production is still highly concentrated along the coastal plain of South Carolina where it is a source of pride and joy among private gardeners and commercial farmers alike.

For questions or more information, please contact: