George Washington University changes its nickname from ‘Colonials’ to ‘Revolutionaries’

The George Washington University in Washington, DC has undergone a name change after students objected to their former nickname as ‘extremely offensive’.

After receiving 8,000 suggestions and over 47,000 points of feedback, the George Washington Colonials are now the George Washington Revolutionaries.

Students began pressuring the leadership and faculty of GWU to change the name back in 2018. Over 500 students objected to the ‘Colonials’ moniker, calling it ‘extremely offensive’ and claiming that the name, ‘has too deep a connection to colonization and glorifies the act of systemic oppression’.

Former student and ‘Meet the Press’ anchor Chuck Todd helped his alma mater announce the new name, which was chosen over three other finalists: ‘Ambassadors’, ‘Blue Fog’, and ‘Sentinels’.

The school sponsors 19 Division-I sports and largely competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

George Washington University in downtown Washington DC is officially changing its moniker

GWU will now be referred to as the ‘Revolutionaries’ after student objected to the ‘Colonials’ name it had in place since 1926 – deeming it ‘extremely offensive’ and tied to colonization

George Washington’s mascot ‘George’ will remain in place with this change in nickname

GWU’s sports teams, which have been called the Colonials since 1926, will begin using their new name when the new academic year begins later this year.

‘This is an exciting day for the George Washington University Revolutionaries,’ President Mark S. Wrighton said.

‘A moniker must unify our community, draw people together, and serve as a source of pride. We look forward to the next steps in an inclusive process to identify a moniker that fulfills this aspiration,’ board chair Grace Speights announced when the school initially told students they would change their name.

Students, alumni, and professors were interviewed in the name-reveal video to give their take on the new mascot name and show their ‘Revolutionaries’ spirit.

‘I like Revolutionaries because it references George Washington in a positive way,’ Punchbowl News founder and alumnus Jake Sherman said.

‘It alludes to the original foundation of our country, and it has a modern application as well,’ graduate student Desiree Winns added.

‘Revolutionaries are bold, they embody creativity and passion. Revolutionaries are change-makers, they’re not content with the status quo,’ Professor Monica Ruiz proudly voiced.

George Washington University’s mascot, a costumed George Washington-esque character they refer to as ‘George’ will remain in place.