Dear Times-Delphic Editors and the Student Body,

I’m writing to express disappointment in the T-D column about Drake’s Live Mascot program. While this was an opinion piece, even opinions are best grounded in facts. “I don’t see Griff II very often” and “Neither do people I talk to” may be true statements, but they are not accurate or reflective of Griff’s presence on campus and in our community.

Last year, Griff attended 350+ Drake student events, including 123 co-curricular and 84 college, school, and class events. In the week before this article was published, Griff supported an SAA project, attended the student career fair, filmed a video for the Hometown Heroes game honoring first responders, visited Professor Dan Chibnall’s classroom, encouraged people donating blood before the LifeServe-Drake basketball game, surprised a student on his birthday, attended women’s and men’s basketball games, visited the Zimpleman College Women’s Leadership Breakfast, served at a stress-relief event in Drake West Village, welcomed admitted students, visited children and families at ChildServe, and helped SAA with Beat Week tabling.

However, more troubling was the journalist’s judgment of others who connect with Griff, as well as lack of appreciation for Erin Bell – the quiet, compassionate, tireless individual behind the scenes. Erin and her family care deeply and work tirelessly for the well-being of our community, whether Drake students, children in refugee families, mistreated animals, or families in need.

Especially today, I am inspired by those who wake up each morning recommitted to sharing their gifts of empathy, service, love, and kindness, and who remind us of the transformative impact of relationships and showing up. My heroes are Erin Bell and our handsome boys Porterhouse, Griff I, Griff II, and Griff III.

Sue J. Mattison, PhD

Provost, Drake University