When Dominic Darbyshire enrolled at OCC, he never imagined that he would be making history as the face behind the College’s newest mascot in nearly 60 years. It’s an adventure that has taken him from Talon’s energetic reveal in September 2024 to starring in OCC’s holiday video and proudly representing Oakland Community College at Capitol Day in Lansing.
As Darbyshire graduates on Saturday, May 17, with three associate degrees and a certificate
in Robotics/Automated Systems Technology, Darbyshire reflects on his unforgettable
experiences and the pride he felt in representing his college.
Talon the Owl is OCC’s newest mascot in nearly 60 years. Can you describe the type
of reactions Talon received from students, employees and community members when you
appeared at events?
At every event I was at, whether on campus or in Lansing, Talon was received with
bundles of joy and excitement by all types of persons (from) students, faculty and
even state lawmakers.
Why did you want to be Talon?
I was approached by (OCC Digital Strategist) Melissa O’Leary at the Talon Tailgate,
and she asked if I could be Talon for a photoshoot. I thought it would be a wonderful
opportunity. I ended up doing moreevents because of how much fun it was, and how well I was being treated by everyone,
including Faculty.
What is the most memorable moment you experienced?
My most memorable moment as Talon was definitely (Capitol Day) in Lansing when I was
cleaning up after the event, and I saw my friend, who was also a mascot. We had a
connection after having met at a leadership retreat in Newaygo in September.
What is your favorite part about being Talon?
My favorite part about being Talon is definitely the reactions people have, and everyone
wanting to take a picture with Talon!
What are the perks of being Talon?
Even though you are anonymous, you are very popular and looked up to! When people
know you’re the mascot, even if you aren’t the mascot at that specific event, they
will go up to you thinking you’re there and will treat you with kindness.
What does Talon mean to you?
Being Talon to me means taking a break from the social pressures and being, for the
most part, unfiltered. I am mostly unseen despite eyes being on Talon a lot of the
time, and the separate identity is a cool change of pace to have.
Have you ever had any costume mishaps?
I did have a costume mishap! You can see it in OCC’s Holiday Video bloopers when a towel falls off Talon and it leads to a funny moment.
What’s something most people don’t realize about being a mascot?
It does take much more creativity and concentration than most think. To zone-out as
a mascot will definitely take away the creativity and the identity of the mascot;
that is something you really have to avoid.
What will you miss the most?
I’ll miss being sweaty afterwards. It’s very rewarding to me to see the physical effects
of my efforts! I do freelance landscaping and work out often, so this is a refreshing
thing for me!
What was the most challenging part of the job?
The most challenging thing about the job is the (limited) mobility of the suit at
times. It is something to get used to, specifically in the arms and its vision, but
otherwise it is very easy to do!
Would you recommend this experience to other students?
I would definitely recommend this experience to others because of how rewarding and fun it is! You get to be anonymous and be very creatively expressive! There are little to no bounds of what you can do, and you can go as buck-wild as you want!
Do you want to be Talon for a day? Learn more at OCC Owls.
About OCC
Oakland Community College offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs with resources students need to be successful and advance our community. As a top transfer institution, OCC offers one of the state’s most affordable tuition rates and flexibility in scheduling. The College is nationally recognized for its high-demand career training and expert faculty in their fields. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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