Tennessee Tech University held a birthday bash Thursday that was 100 years in the making.

Students, faculty, staff and alumni gathered over cupcakes, popcorn, prizes and the sounds of a local D.J. to commemorate the university’s centennial anniversary as the Golden Eagles and honor the birthday of Tech’s beloved mascot, Awesome Eagle.

Tech’s Athletic Association officially adopted the Golden Eagles moniker at a meeting in 1925 that went through three rounds of selection, beating out other choices such as the Tech Warriors, Mountain Eagles and Lions by a resounding vote of 139 to 18. According to campus lore, the name was inspired by the eagles that were plentiful above the upland forests of the Upper Cumberland region.

Ted McWilliams, the university’s interim director of admissions and a Tech alumnus, served as emcee for the milestone birthday party.

“We're thrilled to have you here at the Roaden University Center to celebrate a century of Golden Eagle spirit,” said McWilliams. “Over the past 100 years, Tennessee Tech has soared to incredible heights … Today, we honor that legacy and look forward to a future filled with even more achievements.”

Tech President Phil Oldham also delivered remarks encouraging audience members to, “Take time to appreciate the Golden Eagle, what it means to us, and what it’s meant to Tennessee Tech for 100 years.”

Later, Susan Luna-Hazlewood, director of Tech’s Crawford Alumni Center, shared about the significance of the Golden Eagles identity for Tech’s vast alumni network.

While the Golden Eagles name has remained constant for a century, Tech’s mascot has evolved over time.

The university’s first costumed mascot appeared on campus in the 1960s, while the character of Awesome Eagle debuted in 1984. The modern version of Awesome Eagle that students, faculty, staff and alumni recognize today traces its origins back to 1990.

The Golden Eagles’ centennial anniversary and the history of Tech’s iconic mascot are also featured in the latest issue of Visions, Tech’s annual magazine for alumni and friends. Read more at www.tntech.edu/visions.