The Cooper Union mascot is a traditional symbol that represents the spirit and identity of Cooper Union, a prestigious art, engineering, and architecture school located in New York City. The mascot plays a significant role in fostering school spirit, community engagement, and promoting the values and principles of the institution. The Cooper Union mascot, often referred to as "Peter Cooper," is named after the school's founder, Peter Cooper. Peter Cooper was a prominent industrialist, philanthropist, and inventor, who believed in the power of education and access to knowledge for all individuals. He established Cooper Union in 1859 with a vision to provide education to those who qualified, regardless of race, religion, or gender. The Cooper Union mascot symbolizes the enduring legacy and values of Peter Cooper.
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Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action. The Cooper Union s Foundation Building, completed in 1858, was bestowed as a gift to New York City and became a testament to Peter Cooper s philanthropy and ingenuity.
The Cooper Union mascot symbolizes the enduring legacy and values of Peter Cooper. It typically takes the form of a stylized representation of Peter Cooper, often wearing his signature top hat and carrying a book or a tool. The mascot serves as a reminder of Peter Cooper's commitment to education, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence.
Facts About Cooper Union
Founded in 1859 by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers an unparalleled education in architecture, art, and engineering.
Established to provide education with an exceptional standard of quality “equal to the best,” The Cooper Union was also founded on the fundamental belief that education should be accessible to all members of society without regard to gender, race, religion, or economic status. Today, The Cooper Union is ranked among the most prestigious private institutions in the world with a public mission: prepare bright, creative, and ambitious students to apply their talent and expertise to make impactful contributions worldwide.
For the academic year 2022-2023:
Admission
14% Overall Acceptance Rate based on the total number of completed Common Applications submitted for fall 2022 (4% School of Architecture, 9% School of Art, 27% School of Engineering)
Enrollment
The Cooper Union awards all admitted undergraduate students a half-tuition scholarship currently valued at $22,275 per school year. After applying for need-based financial aid, students may be provided additional aid to help cover tuition, room and board, and other related expenses. Limited merit scholarships are also available for selected students.
- 892 Undergraduate Students: 16% in the School of Architecture; 28% in the School of Art; 56% in the School of Engineering
- 49% Male, 51% Female
- Undergraduate Students who are U.S. citizens and residents: 28% are Asian; 5% are Black or African-American; 11% are Hispanic/Latino; 32% are White; 3% are Two or More Races; 7% are Unknown/Did Not Report a Specific Race or Ethnicity; and 14% are Nonresident Aliens/International Students
- 83% of Fall 2022 First-year Students Live on Campus
Retention and Graduation Rates
- 92% of Students Returned for Sophomore Year (retention rate)
- 83% of The Cooper Union first-year students that entered in fall 2016 graduated within 6 years
Academics
- Accreditation
- 9 to 1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture offers a Bachelor of Architecture degree which is completed over five years and prepares students for an array of opportunities in the profession. The school also offers a post-professional Master of Science in Architecture degree. Through close interaction with internationally recognized faculty, practitioners, and scholars, graduates obtain a lasting ability to produce architecture that is a meaningful synthesis of the social, the aesthetic and the technological.
The School of Art offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree completed in four years. The program is committed to an integrated curriculum that encompasses the fundamental disciplines and resources of the visual arts including painting, sculpture, drawing, audiovisual, graphic design, photography, and printmaking. The students in the program benefit from working alongside renowned faculty and utilizing New York City’s extraordinary pool of practicing professionals in fine art and graphic design.
The Albert Nerken School of Engineering offers Bachelor of Engineering degrees in chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering, a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering, and a Master of Engineering degree. The program prepares students for leadership and entrepreneurial roles in a world that faces complex political, social, and environmental challenges. At the graduate level, the school encourages interdisciplinary studies in additional areas including computer systems, robotics, biomedical, and environmental engineering issues, as well as material science.
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences provides the academic integration connecting our three schools. During their first two years, students are required to take a core curriculum in the humanities and social sciences. Students in the School of Art take an additional three-semester sequence in art history. During the third and fourth years, students have considerable latitude to explore the humanities and social sciences through elective courses. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences also oversees the Center for Writing which works with our students to offer feedback, support, and instruction in all areas of written and spoken communication.
Rankings
The rigor of The Cooper Union’s academic programs has made it one of the top-ranked institutions of higher education in the nation in all categories.
- #1 Best Value Schools, #2 Regional Colleges North, #8 Top Performers on Social Mobility, #9 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, #9 Undergraduate Electrical / Electronic / Communications, #11 Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering, U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges, 2024
- Top 20 Best Buy Colleges and Universities, Fiske Guide to Colleges, 2024
- Best Northeastern Colleges and Best Value Colleges (private schools), The Princeton Review Best Colleges, 2024
- Ranked in the top 50 among the country's most selective schools for economic diversity, New York Times, 2024
- #1 Bachelor's College and #22 Best Bang for the Buck in the Northeast, Washington Monthly, 2023
- #9 of 746 Best Colleges for Art in America, #17 of 157 Best Colleges for Architecture in America, and #23 of 969 Best Small Colleges in America, Niche, 2023
- Top 30 Best Selective College, Money, 2022
Student, Alumni and Faculty Achievement
The Cooper Union’s alumni, faculty and student community have received an extraordinary share of the nation’s most prestigious accolades:
- 39 Fulbright scholars since 2001
- 13 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships since 2004
- 40 percent of graduates continue to pursue top-ranked graduate programs
- 4 Royal Society of Arts-Architecture Student Design Awards in 2014 (only four awarded in total)
Additional prestigious prizes awarded to Cooper Union alumni:
- 15 Rome Prizes
- 26 Guggenheim Fellowships
- 3 MacArthur Fellowships: Whitfield Lovell A’83, Elizabeth Diller AR’79, Ricardo M. Scofidio AR’55
- Nobel Prize in Physics: Russell A. Hulse Ph’70
- 1 Pritzker Architecture Prize: Shigeru Ban A'84
- 9 Chrysler Design Awards
- 3 Thomas Jefferson Awards for Public Architecture
- 8 AIGA Medallions for Design Excellence
- 1 inaugural Jane Jacobs Medal: Barry Benepe A’54
- 1 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering: Dick Schwartz ME’57
Campus
Foundation Building
The Cooper Union’s Foundation Building, completed in 1858, was bestowed as a gift to New York City and became a testament to Peter Cooper’s philanthropy and ingenuity. The Foundation Building was once the tallest building in Manhattan and the most innovative addition to the city’s landscape. Designed with a rolled iron I-beam infrastructure, it also included an interior shaft that preceded the common use of elevators. The Foundation Building is also a prominent cultural and intellectual destination for its auditorium, the Great Hall. This space has hosted speeches and events for several United States presidents and esteemed public figures that have had a profound impact throughout American history. Today the Foundation Building is a National Historic Landmark and designated New York City Landmark, and it provides space for classrooms, studios, a library, and the Arthur A. Houghton, Jr. Gallery. The interior was renovated in the 1970s by John Hedjuk, former Dean of Cooper Union's Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, and in 2002 an exterior restoration and rededication was completed.
The Great Hall
Peter Cooper believed that public engagement was essential to a thriving democracy and designed the Great Hall within the Foundation Building to do just that. The Great Hall was created to bring America’s most influential pioneers of the 19 th century to the citizens of New York City. One of the most famous guests was Abraham Lincoln in February 1860 where he delivered his “Right Makes Might” speech. The Great Hall also hosted abolitionist Frederick Douglass, women’s suffrage champions Susan B. Anthony and Victoria Woodhull, Samuel Gompers, and the earliest workers’ rights campaign movements. It was also the birthplace of the American Red Cross and the NAACP.
For more than 160 years, the Great Hall has remained a prominent venue, hosting United States presidents Ulysses S. Grant, William Howard Taft, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Other presenters have included authors Harriet Beecher Stowe and Salmon Rushdie, intellectuals Bertrand Russell and Susan Sontag, scientists Thomas Huxley and Brian Greene, and musicians Benny Carter and Billy Joel to mention a few.
41 Cooper Square
The Cooper Union’s most recent campus addition is 41 Cooper Square, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified academic building. Designed by 2005 Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne of Morphosis, the building officially opened in September 2009. The 9-story, 175,000 square foot, full-block building replaced more than 40 percent of the academic space at the college with reconfigurable state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, studios, and public spaces.
The Cooper Union mascot is featured prominently at various school events, such as athletic competitions, graduation ceremonies, and alumni gatherings. It is also used in promotional materials, merchandise, and social media campaigns, helping to create a sense of pride and unity among the Cooper Union community. Beyond its symbolic role, the Cooper Union mascot serves as an ambassador for the institution. It is a source of inspiration and motivation for students, reminding them of the values they should strive for as they pursue their academic and professional goals. The mascot represents the unique blend of creativity, intellectual curiosity, and technical expertise that defines Cooper Union. In summary, the Cooper Union mascot, known as "Peter Cooper," is a powerful symbol that embodies the rich history, values, and aspirations of Cooper Union. It has become an integral part of the school's identity, fostering school spirit, promoting community engagement, and celebrating the achievements of the Cooper Union community..
Reviews for "Capturing the Essence: The Creative Process Behind Cooper Union's Mascot Design"
1. John - 2/5
As an avid sports fan, I was quite disappointed with the Cooper Union mascot. The mascot lacked energy and enthusiasm, making it hard for the crowd to get excited during games. Additionally, the costume design was lackluster and uncreative. Overall, I was not impressed with the mascot and felt it did not enhance the overall atmosphere.
2. Sarah - 1/5
I found the Cooper Union mascot to be quite distracting during the event. Instead of adding to the excitement and spirit, the mascot seemed to be more interested in entertaining themselves rather than engaging with the crowd. The costume design also seemed outdated and unappealing. I believe the organizers need to reconsider their choice of mascot and find a more engaging and energetic character.
3. Michael - 2/5
I was hoping for a fun and vibrant mascot at the Cooper Union event, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The mascot lacked personality and seemed detached from the audience. The costume was also not visually appealing and did not add to the overall atmosphere. I feel that a more interactive and charismatic mascot would have made the event more enjoyable for everyone.
4. Emily - 2/5
The Cooper Union mascot failed to capture the spirit of the event and connect with the audience. The mascot seemed awkward and out of place, and the costume design did not make it visually appealing. It felt like a missed opportunity to create a memorable and engaging character that could have added excitement and enthusiasm to the event. Overall, I was disappointed with the mascot at Cooper Union.
The Cultural Influence of Cooper Union's Mascot