Montclair State University officially has adopted Turtle Back Zoo's red-tailed hawk, Clair. A ceremony celebrating the adoption took place at the West Orange zoo Nov. 8, when a plaque commemorating the event was unveiled. Pictured, animal keeper Kelly Lauer introduces Clair to the University's mascot, Rocky.

Joseph DiVincenzo (right), the newly elected Essex County executive, and Connie Williams (second from right), president of the Zoological Society of New Jersey, join Montclair State's Rocky the Red Hawk in celebrating the University's adoption of Turtle Back Zoo's red-tailed hawk, Clair.

Rocky the Red Hawk with Montclair State cheerleaders, from left, Lynda Kaounis, Kelly Mady, Nicole Gesuale and Stacey Winters. Clair watches from her perch, upper left.

Montclair State's Director of Athletics Holly Gera (second from left) stands behind the sign in front of the cage that is home to Turtle Back Zoo's red-tailed hawks. The sign reads, "Montclair State has adopted these red-tailed hawks into our family as the official University mascots. MSU students, faculty, staff and alumni take great pride in providing funding for the hawks' care and feeding." Pictured with Gera, from left, are Rocky the Red Hawk; Connie Williams, president of the Zoological Society of New Jersey; Joseph DiVincenzo, the newly elected Essex County executive, and animal keeper Kelly Lauer with Clair.