In the News/Update: 'Rocky' the Concordia Chicken moves to her new home
Rocky the Concordia Chicken in her new home in the Children’s Farm of The Center in Palos Park. Photo courtesy Mark Walker/The Center of Palos
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Sept. 24, 2009
Late this summer, an unexpected guest arrived here at Concordia University Chicago. “The Concordia Chicken” is a small white hen that took up residence outside our Koehneke Community Center, and was here to welcome students for the new academic year.
See her first YouTube video here.
Our students, faculty and staff have grown extremely fond and protective of her. Students came to name her “Rocky," and she became quite the campus and online buzz. She won over new fans as she was featured this week in the Chicago Tribune, Fox News Chicago and the Wednesday Journal.
Her fame was picked up by other media and Internet outlets far and wide. We're proud of our high-flying feathered friend--how many other college-bound chickens have made it to MSNBC.com?
Our campus is a welcoming and friendly environment, but we know it is not the best home for a chicken. With fall quickly approaching, reports of other larger animals nearby and Rocky's increased fame and attention—all of which could cause stress or possible harm to her—we have been working tirelessly to find her new, permanent home that meets her needs.
We're happy to announce that a wonderful agency has graciously adopted her, and Rocky is safe and happy in her new home.
The Center in Palos Park is an interfaith, nonprofit religious organization that hosts a range of camps, preschool, social service and other programs--as well as a Children’s Farm that is Rocky’s new home.
The Children’s Farm is a working farm located on 60 acres of farmland, managed and staffed by three full-time farm workers and a tremendous number of supportive community volunteers. The farm, which attracts approximately 30,000 visitors each year, cares for horses, donkeys, cows, sheep and goats in addition to its roosters and hens who live out their natural lives on the farm.
On our campus, the number of people congregating to find or feed Rocky grew so drastically in the last two days that we were increasingly concerned about her safety. As a result, we arranged to transport her as soon as possible to The Center once their staff agreed to give her a home. A licensed animal control agency came to campus today to catch her, and a University employee drove her to The Center.
After Rocky arrived to the center, she had no trouble getting along with the other chickens and showed no signs of stress, according to farm manager Grant Douglass.
On our campus, the number of people congregating to find or feed Rocky grew so drastically in the last two days that we were increasingly concerned about her safety. As a result, we arranged to transport her as soon as possible to The Center once their staff agreed to give her a home. A licensed animal control agency came to campus today to catch her, and a University employee drove her to The Center.
After Rocky arrived to the center, she had no trouble getting along with the other chickens and showed no signs of stress, according to farm manager Grant Douglass.
Mark Walter of The Center reported: “At about 4 p.m., a class from Sunship Earth, one of our overnight environmental education camp programs for fifth graders, had a barn tour as part of their day, and the students and the chicken got along great.”
Saying goodbye to our quirky pet was bittersweet, but The Center gives Rocky the opportunity thrive in a nurturing environment better suited to her needs. The care and respect toward Rocky that so many of our students have displayed in the past few weeks is a great testament to our students living Concordia’s core values.
Our Office of Student Leadership & Involvement is accepting students’ contributions of photos, news clippings and personal stories for a scrapbook commemorating Rocky’s place in our history. We plan to share the scrapbook with her new family and friends at The Center, so all of her visitors can learn how special she was to us and about the celebrity that she has become.
We encourage everyone to visit our friend in her new environment as well as thank and support the staff and volunteers of The Center of Palos.
We encourage everyone to visit our friend in her new environment as well as thank and support the staff and volunteers of The Center of Palos.
The Center’s Children’s Farm is open 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. October is an especially great time to visit The Center for its popular fall events. Throughout October, hours are extended to 3-5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. In addition to the guided farm tour, group tours during October are treated to complimentary hayrack rides (weather permitting) to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch.
About Concordia University Chicago
Founded in 1864, Concordia University Chicago is a comprehensive liberal arts-based Christian university in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, Concordia offers more than 60 areas of study in small classes taught by professors who are passionate about teaching and student success.
Founded in 1864, Concordia University Chicago is a comprehensive liberal arts-based Christian university in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, Concordia offers more than 60 areas of study in small classes taught by professors who are passionate about teaching and student success.
Concordia equips men and women to serve and lead with integrity, creativity, competence and compassion in a diverse, interconnected and increasingly urbanized church and world. More than 5,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at Concordia, located 10 miles west of downtown Chicago in River Forest. Learn more at www.cuchicago.edu.
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CONTACT:
Kim McCullough, Director, Community & Media Relations
708-209-3122 or kim.mccullough@cuchicago.edu
9/24/2009 5:32:07 PM
