For two years, the Pathfinder had been everywhere—and nowhere at once

Bowling Green, KY –Pathfinder danced at campus events, high-fived nervous first-day students, posed for photos, hyped up crowds, and somehow always knew how to turn an ordinary moment into something just a little brighter. Pathfinder was more than a mascot. He was energy, spirit, and joy stitched into a suit. And yet, behind the oversized head and boundless enthusiasm, his identity remained a mystery.

Until now.

The Pathfinder mascot has been portrayed by graduates Alex Smith, Cloe Woosley, and Harper Osborne, with Alex serving as the primary Pathfinder.

Alex had always considered himself adventurous—someone willing to try just about anything once. So when an unexpected email landed in his inbox just a week after becoming a Student Ambassador, asking if he’d be willing to step into the role of Pathfinder for a Poetry Month video, he said yes.

He’ll admit now—he was nervous. He had never been a mascot before and fully expected to make a fool of himself. In some ways, he did—if you count running into walls and doors more times than he can remember. But what stuck with him wasn’t the awkward moments. It was the reaction.

The laughter. The hugs. The high-fives. The dancing. 

In those brief, wordless interactions, Alex realized he could impact someone’s day in a way that didn’t require recognition or even introduction. Pathfinder wasn’t just a costume—it was a channel. A way to give people a moment of joy when they needed it most.

Over time, that realization deepened.

Being Pathfinder, Alex learned, wasn’t just about playing a role—it was about becoming part of something bigger. Pathfinder became a “big kid” with a simple mission: love people well, and create joy wherever possible.

And through that mission, Alex changed too.

Behind the scenes, there were goofy videos created with Brendy (SKYCTC Digital Marketing Coordinator) that brought laughter to social media. But the moments that mattered most happened off-camera—out in the community, representing a college that had become home. Every appearance felt like both a privilege and a thank-you. A way of giving back to a place that had given him so much.

“Pathfinder is just a “big kid” who loves everyone he encounters and finds the energy and compassion to not just find the joy in life, but to create it too,” says Alex. “During my time in the suit, I have been able to practice this consistently with people who may never meet me in person or might never even know my name. But the point is, Pathfinder helped make the world feel a little less dark and stressful and a little happier and more carefree for a lot of people. That’s where Pathfinder has impacted me the most.”

Now, as graduation approaches, Alex is preparing for his next chapter. He’s heading to Western Kentucky University to study Legal Studies, continuing his work at a local attorney’s office and pursuing a future in law.

But if Pathfinder has taught him anything, it’s this: impact doesn’t require recognition.

Some of the most meaningful influence happens quietly—in small moments, in unseen gestures, in the choice to show up for others without expecting anything in return. Whether in a classroom, a leadership role, or a future legal career, Alex plans to carry that lesson forward.

Because being Pathfinder was never about being seen. It was about helping others feel seen.

And as the suit is passed on to the next student, Alex leaves behind more than a legacy of laughs and high-fives. He leaves a challenge:

Be intentional. Be expressive. Be consistent. Adapt. Serve.

And above all—create moments that matter.