Meredith Angels Become Avengers

Athletic teams from the all-women's college will take the field as the Avenging Angels start in the USA South Conference for the first time this fall.

The college adopted the new nickname to "make clear that Meredith College is serious about athletics ... that we should be known to all as agile, fierce, powerful, loyal, determined (and) complex warriors," said Jean Jackson, vice-president for College programs and a Meredith alumna.

The school unveiled a new logo featuring an 'M' and an angel wing.

"The new logo and nickname is a fresh and fun beginning that marks an exciting kickoff for Meredith as we enter into a new conference," said Lauren Powers, a former student-athlete.

The logo was designed by Winston-Salem-based PAVE Creative group to mark the college's entrance in the USA Southern Conference. After consulting various constituents, Meredith decided to keep the Angel in the name of the school's nickname.

The student body chose an angel as Meredith's official mascot in 1980 but never designated an official angel logo for sports teams.

The college also celebrated the success of two teams which made NCAA tournaments for the second time in Meredith's history.

A quarter of the student-athletes made a grade point average of 3.5 or higher last year, said Meredith President Maureen Hartford.