One evening, about a month before I opened the College in July 2008, I was looking through my old book of Greek mythology searching for a patron for the school. After a couple of hours of text and pictures I settled on Athena as the Patron Goddess. The Greek goddess of wisdom? Of course. How could it be anyone else? After that decision, I walked out of my room, the monasterium where I do most if not all of my deep thinking, and attempted to tell my wife that Athena was going to be the Patron Goddess. She shushed me before I could get the words out of my mouth, and said, “Listen!” It was an owl hooting outside our window—not a big deal in the country or on a farm, but we had never heard an owl hooting in our suburban neighborhood for the 12 years we lived there. The owl, being Athena’s favorite animal, was there for at least a half hour, hooting loudly before it flew away. It never came back.
Erik Wiegardt, 2025
Founder, College of Stoic Philosophers
Athena, daughter of Zeus in Greek mythology, was the patroness of ancient Athens – representing wisdom, practical reason, strategic thinking, handicraft skills, and warfare. A little owl (Athene noctua), with its large direct eyes and calm demeanor, traditionally accompanies her, becoming its own symbol of knowledge and piercing insight even in the dark.
The College of Stoic Philosophy is proud to display such a symbolic affirmation of our mission: to promote learning and practices about Stoic philosophy in a Stoa (school) dedicated to philosophy as a way of life.
Erik Wiegardt’s framed original pencil drawing of Athena and the Owl is sent by the Emeritus Scholarch to new Scholarch upon their assuming the role of head of faculty.