From stray to campus cat, Sewella finds a new home

What started as a stray cat wandering campus has become a friendly face for many students.

Sewella is often seen near the front of Elam Hall in a small heated shelter, with food and water provided by students. Her name comes from being spotted between Elam and Sewell Hall. For many, spotting her has become a small but meaningful part of the day.

Allison Schumacher, a freshman math major, is one of several students who regularly leave food and water out for Sewella.

“I’ve always been nurturing for animals,” Schumacher said. “So I started feeding her and giving her water. Then she eventually decided she was going to get more food if she sat up on the Elam steps.”

Sewella was not always friendly, but eventually warmed up to students and developed her own personality. “She’s definitely sassy, and that’s what I love about her,” she said.

Schumacher said seeing Sewella brings back memories of the cat she had growing up.

“My childhood cat was a tortoiseshell girl cat, so whenever I first saw Sewella on campus, and everyone was surrounding her, my first thought was, ‘That’s Sam. That has to be Sam,’” she said.

Sewella has become a source of comfort and connection for students.

“She brings a lot of people together that normally wouldn’t spend time together,” she said. “I honestly don’t know how well I would have done without having a little friend on campus.”

Erica Bowman, a freshman theology and ministry major, said the cat played a role in her relationship.

“She started hanging out outside Allen Arena, and that’s actually how my boyfriend and I met,” Bowman said. “We’d start talking about who she likes more. We actually named her Millie before everyone renamed her Sewella.”

Bowman said visiting Sewella has become part of her routine. “I specifically will sit with her for 10 to 15 minutes when I leave if I have extra time,” she said.

Students say Sewella has not only helped them form friendships with each other, but with her as well.

“She’s like my best friend,” Schumacher said. “It’s hard to fit in sometimes. So having Sewella is the best because she’ll just follow me around.”