UCLA Powell Cat
Linsey Montgomery’s 2022-2023 ASUCLA T-shirt Design Contest winning illustration of Powell Cat
Remembering Powell Cat, a perspective from a 2024 graduating student who met the late legendary cat
UCLA Powell Cat, the stray tuxedo cat that lived on campus near the Powell Library, remains an icon for many students graduating this spring quarter. Although they unfortunately passed away in March 2023, Powell’s Cat’s legacy lives on for many graduating classes to come. Many fans within the Bruin community prefer to use they/them pronouns for Powell Cat as its sex was never determined.
For more information on remembering Powell Cat and their life on campus, click the button below, or keep reading to learn about how the 2024 graduating class holds a special place for UCLA Powell Cat.
Stephanie Liu, creative blog writer for Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA), has been at UCLA since her freshman year in 2020. Liu recalls seeing Powell Cat several times – one notable time being a rainy day near where UCLA Powell Cat often lived. The rainy moment was “so magical,” Liu notes. “I think Powell Cat was a very pure, joyous part of my UCLA experience. They would just brighten up anybody’s day. It is good luck to see Powell Cat,” said Liu, a class of 2024 communications student. “I miss the little guy. I hope that maybe in the future there will be another stray cat to bring happiness to future Bruins.”
UCLA Powell Cat has been particularly notable for the 2024 graduating class; then-third-year English student, Linsey Montgomery, was named the 2022-2023 ASUCLA T-shirt Design Contest winner for her illustration of the cat’s image. The selected design featured Powell Cat on top of stacked books. For more information on the Powell Cat design and its contribution to Powell Cat’s legacy, click the button below.
Not only was there official UCLA merchandise commemorating Powell Cat, but there was also the Powell Cat patch, made by Bruin Custom Print. The patch was offered exclusively for students who wanted to further commemorate Powell Cat by representation on their UCLA graduation sash. ASUCLA, alongside Bruin Custom Print, had a free giveaway in March for 10 lucky ASUCLA Instagram followers to receive their patch in time for graduation. To see the full post and the Powell Cat patch, click the button below.