SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- When Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud points students toward a role model, he looks no further than Otto the Orange, the fuzzy fruit who cheers on the sports teams.
To the chancellor, Otto is more than just one of the "most baffling college mascots in the country" -- he's a symbol for inclusiveness, disability and diversity.
The chancellor has said that he doesn't take this lightly. He has turned to Otto himself for inspiration in overcoming his own stage fright.
Syverud feels so strongly about the fat, ungendered orb that he invoked him in this year's address to incoming students and last year's commencement speech.