History-minded alumni are familiar with the hoopla surrounding King Husky I's arrival on campus in 1927: The 1,200-person welcome parade. The speech by President Speare. A mention in the New York Times.

But you probably didn't know that, thirteen days later, his highness's first birthday rolled around. Northeastern's original mascot was born in Nome, Alaska, on St. Patrick's Day, 1926.

The milestone didn't go unmarked. At a birthday fete, presents included a meat pie bearing a single candle, a dog mat, and a tan collar and leash. Former owner Leonard Seppala, an Alaskan dogsledder, sent a complete single harness. Even rival Boston University got in on the act, making the lucky dog a 5-by-3-foot birthday card.

Having gone without a mascot for years, the student body was proud to embrace this thoroughbred's fabled character—his endurance, determination, and intelligence—as its own.

Better add reincarnation to that list of qualities. This year, after more than forty years of relying solely on the bronze Husky for good luck, Northeastern reinstated a live mascot. On September 1, a new King (unlike his predecessors, he hasn't been given a Roman numeral) was introduced to the student body. Margaret Cook, LA'64—an Easton, Massachusetts, dog breeder—gave the seven-month-old Siberian husky to the university. He will live with Cook whenever he's not on campus for events.

Student affairs vice president Ed Klotzbier, AS'87, says, "It's a terrific time to bring back King Husky. We want to instill school spirit and tradition."

The latest King has already worked the crowds at Convocation and Homecoming. And count on the sports season to be a howling success.

— Magdalena Hernandez, MBA'02