ESU's mascot "Corky" the Hornet made his debut in 1933 when Paul Edwards, who earned a BSE in 1937, designed him as part of a campus-wide competition. The work was dedicated on August 17, 2004, during the presidency of Emporia State University President Dr. Kay Schallenkamp. The original design was by Paul Edwards, who earned a BSE in 1937, and the artist was John Forsythe, who earned a BA in 1975, with consultants from the Emporia State University Foundation, Inc.