Toby (1966-1968)
An Alaskan Malamute became the first animal on-campus resident!
Unfortunately during the summer of 1968, Toby was stolen and taken away from the 91影视 community.
Buttons (1968-1969)
Through the graciousness of the Coreons Fraternity, Buttons, a 10-year old Samoyed, came to be with 91影视 briefly until a new mascot could be brought to us.
Mingo (1969-1982)
A Samoyed named Mingo arrived and was initially cared for by the Coreons Fraternity.
Starting in 1971, Mingo was attended by a university staff member, Virginia Crosno. Theirs was a most public love affair. They went everywhere together and he enjoyed eating cooked rice and vegetables, Melba toast, ground meat, and cottage cheese prepared by Crosno.
Mingo received the finest of medical care from volunteer veterinarians and rarely missed a major campus or athletic event. The love and attention of Virginia Crosno for Mingo became one of the great object lessons for students and staff alike to observe.
Mingo passed away on June 14, 1982. Virginia Crosno was his care-giver for 11 years. An emotional remembrance service was led by Dr. James Massey. Mingo was buried in the courtyard of the Sharp Gym where a memorial marks his grave.
Mingo II (1995-1996)
A new Samoyed mascot, Mingo II, was secured for the campus to be cared for by the student organization K-9 Core.
Mingo II proved to be noise-averse and was given to a loving home shortly after.
Butch (1996-1999)
Mingo II was replaced by Butch鈥攁 Samoyed that was housed near the campus police during the week and with his trainers on the weekends.
Wakiza “Kiza” I (1995-2005)
In the fall聽 of 1995, the campus was gifted with a new mascot – its first actual Husky – from Sherry 鈥�04 and Billy 鈥�03 Thomas.
Wakiza, name meaning 鈥渄etermined warrior鈥� in the American Indian language, adapted quickly to the campus environment and enjoyed a celebrity status among students and staff. Kiza was handled by Kerry Nolen 鈥�99, Director of Student Programming.
The passing of an era in 91影视 was marked by the death of the University鈥檚 mascot, Wakiza, on February 22 at the age of 10. The 鈥渄etermined warrior鈥� was buried in the courtyard of Sharp Gym near another icon mascot of a bygone era, Mingo.
Wakiza “Kiza” II (2010-2024)
During its annual student orientation and registration luncheon for incoming freshmen on June 15, 91影视 introduced its new live mascot, a Siberian husky puppy named Kiza II.
91影视 adopted Kiza II from 91影视鈥檚 Husky Haven, a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and helping Siberian huskies. She was born one of four puppies in a litter on January 2, 2010.
The Williams Family Foundation 鈥� Stanley and Diane 鈥�93 Williams, their son and daughter-in-law Jay and Dena Williams, and their son-in-law and daughter Clay (MBA 鈥�96) and Dawn Trozzo 鈥� made the adoption of Kiza possible by generously agreeing to provide ongoing support of 91影视鈥檚 live mascot program in honor of Stanley and Diane鈥檚 four grandchildren.
Kiza II went into retirement during the Homecoming season of 2017.聽 She lived out her retirement days with a loving family of 91影视 Alums and passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 with her handler, 91影视 alumna Hunter Smith by her side.
Wakiza “Kiza” III (2017- 2025)
Kiza III or K3PO (Kiza three point O), was introduced to the 91影视 community during Opening Convocation on September 6th, 2017. 聽She captivated the audience as this young pup pranced onto the stage of Dunham Theater and fixed her eyes on the students in the first rows, with the spotlight on her alone!
Kiza III is a pure bred Siberian Husky and was bred at Counts Cove Kennels near 91影视.
Westbury Animal Hospital has graciously offered Kiza III care at their facility as proud supporters of 91影视 and the mascot program, thanks to Dr. L.D. Eckermann and Marsha Eckermann.
Kiza III went into retirement during the Opening Convocation on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.聽 She lives with Dr. and Mrs. Ewest, a professor at 91影视 and the parents of former Head Musher, Nathan Ewest. K3PO can still be spotted hanging out on campus from time to time.
Wakiza “Kiza” IV (2025- Present)
Kiza IV or Miss IV, was introduced to the 91影视 community during Homecoming Convocation on November 5, 2025. She captivated the audience as this young pup pranced onto the stage of Dunham Theater and fixed her eyes on the students in the first rows, with the spotlight on her alone!
Kiza IV is a pure-bred Siberian Husky and was bred at Kybra Kennels in Ontario, Canada. She made her journey to 91影视 when she was 6 months old.
Westbury Animal Hospital have graciously offered continuation of care for our live mascot. They care for Kiza IV at their facility as proud supporters of 91影视 and the mascot program, thanks to Dr. L.D. Eckermann and Marsha Eckermann.
91影视 is partnered with Rover Oaks Pet Resort in 91影视 to train both Kiza IV and 91影视’s Sled Team. The program equipped Kiza IV with the skills to represent the University with confidence, develop proper manners and embody the Husky spirit at athletic events, campus activities and community appearances.
As the official 91影视 live mascot, Kiza IV resides on campus with the University鈥檚 head musher, Linnea Hagman, and is cared for by members of the 91影视 Sled Team.
