year, Plymouth Complex was closed. Traditions The Golden Bear Since 1951, the Golden Bear has been the mascot for Western New England University. A five-ton, nine-foot replica of an Alaskan Kodiak Island Brown Bear was installed next to the Campus Center on November 7, 1986. Former Professor of Management and founder and former Head Coach of the football team Henry Bazan spearheaded an effort starting in 1976 called "Bring the Bear Home Committee" to bring the statue to campus. Bazan affectionately nicknamed the Golden Bear "Spirit." The Rock At 4:30 a.m. on May 16, 1968, 16 seniors lifted a 10-ton rock from a construction site at what would later become the Five Town Plaza and brought it to campus, placing it between Herman Hall and the Campus Center. "Class of 1968" was painted on The Rock, as it came to be known. This initial painting became a tradition that is upheld to this day. Each year, The Rock is painted numerous times to advertise different student clubs, activities, and events. Alma mater The alma mater is called "Theme Song for Western New England University." It was written by Eugene Weaver, a 1954 alumnus, shortly after the founding of the college in 1951. Notable persons Alumni Western New England University has 43,000 alumni who live and work around the world. The Western New England University School of Law has more than 7,000 alumni, while the MBA and MSA programs have nearly 6,000 alumni. The general University alumni magazine used to be called The Communicator. The School of Law alumni magazine is called Perspectives. A new magazine launched in 2019 called WNE: The Magazine of Western New England University. Notable alumni John Joseph Bell, Air Force officer and member of the Virginia House of Delegates Nicholas Boldyga - member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (served 2011–present) Thomas G. Bowman JD - American political aide and retired Marine Corps Colonel who served as the United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs from August 10, 2017, to June 15, 2018 Stephen Buoniconti JD'95 - former member of the Massachusetts Senate (served 2005–2011) and former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (served 2001 - 2004). Lawrence F. Cafero JD'81 - member of Connecticut House of Representatives and Republican House Leader. Gale D. Candaras JD'82 - member of the Massachusetts Senate (served 2007–present) and former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (served 1996