Holstein Cow Named Parade Grand Marshal
A Holstein cow will lead the Ohio State homecoming parade to honor a historical agricultural legacy.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Large Animals
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Ohio State University has selected a Holstein cow from the Wooster campus as the grand marshal for its upcoming homecoming parade. The cow will make her appearance this Friday to celebrate the university's agricultural history.
Why it matters
The appearance highlights the university's longstanding ties to agriculture and commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the notable election of Maudine Ormsby, a cow who famously won homecoming queen in 1926.
The selected cow currently resides at the Multi-Species Animal Learning Complex after being transported from the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences campus in Wooster. Her selection was based on her temperament and availability.
The players
Maudine Ormsby
She is the legendary Holstein cow who became a piece of university history by winning the homecoming queen election in 1926.
Ohio State University
It is a major public research university in Columbus that hosts annual homecoming traditions dating back 114 years.
College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
This academic division of the university operates the Wooster campus and maintains the livestock used in various agricultural research programs.
The details
The cow is currently acclimating to her temporary home at the Multi-Species Animal Learning Complex ahead of her debut. This celebration bridges the gap between modern animal science programs and the university's unique homecoming history.
Timeline
1926 marks the year Maudine Ormsby was elected homecoming queen.
2026 marks the centennial celebration of Maudine Ormsby winning homecoming queen.
The Holstein cow will appear at the homecoming parade this Friday.
Culture Shift
This event celebrates the university's agricultural identity by honoring the 1926 election of Maudine Ormsby as homecoming queen. It reflects a growing institutional trend of leaning into unique, historical campus oddities to build community engagement and nostalgia.
Attendees at the upcoming homecoming parade will be able to see the Holstein cow in person as she serves as the grand marshal. Residents should expect typical parade traffic in the area surrounding the university campus on Friday.
The takeaway
Nostalgia can be a powerful tool for universities to connect with their historical roots while promoting current agricultural programs. Incorporating legacy stories like that of Maudine Ormsby reminds the public that even academic institutions value their unique traditions.
Further reading
For more information on the history of livestock on campus, visit the Large Animals section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Lantern.
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