Utah State University celebrated its new bovine mascot, Thistle, with pumpkin portraits and a new Aggie ice cream flavor, Thistle’s Highland Swirl, according to a October 31 report.
The celebration, which the university marked as Thistle’s first Halloween, follows the announcement of the new mascot last week.
Thistle is represented by two shaggy-coated Highland steers, known as Thistle one and two, which were born in April. The university stated that Highland cattle are a social breed that enjoys company, necessitating two animals.
The steers were selected to represent agriculture and the Scotsmen, a symbol of the university mentioned in its song. The name Thistle is inspired by the emblem of Scotland, symbolizing endurance, courage, and pride. The university announced that the animals will bring the Aggie spirit to events and start new traditions beginning in fall 2027.
To celebrate, 50 samples of Thistle’s Highland Swirl ice cream were dropped onto the USU Logan campus via a helicopter from the school’s aviation program. Additionally, students from the Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources distributed 500 free samples on the ground on Friday.
Thistle’s Highland Swirl features a beige color matching the steers' coats and consists of a salted caramel base with a caramel ribbon and blond brownie bites. The flavor is available at both Aggie Ice Cream locations. A plush toy version of Thistle is also available for purchase on campus.
Aggie Ice Cream has been producing ice cream from the cow to the cone since 1888.
