HBU introduces rescued husky puppy as new live mascot

6/18/2010

During its annual student orientation and registration luncheon for incoming freshmen on Tuesday, June 15, Houston Baptist University introduced its new live mascot, a Siberian husky puppy named Kiza.

HBU adopted Kiza – whose name means “determined warrior” – from Houston’s Husky Haven (www.huskyhaven.org), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization made up of individual volunteers dedicated to rescuing and helping Siberian huskies. She was born one of four puppies in a litter on Jan. 2, 2010.

The Williams Family Foundation – Stanley and Diane Williams, their son and daughter-in-law Jay and Dena Williams, and their son-in-law and daughter Clay and Dawn Trozzo – made the adoption of Kiza possible by generously agreeing to provide ongoing support of HBU’s live mascot program in honor of Stanley and Diane’s four grandchildren.

Diane Williams, center, joins her daughter-in-law Dena Williams, left, her daughter Dawn Trozzo, right, and her four grandchildren in welcoming Kiza to the HBU family. 

Diane and Stanley Williams have a long history of involvement with the University. Diane, who received a bachelor of arts from HBU in 1993, has previously served as chair of the HBU Board of Trustees, presently serves on the Board, and chaired the Presidential Search Committee that recommended hiring HBU’s current president, Robert B. Sloan Jr. Stanley played a key role in the development and construction of the Morris Cultural Arts Center on HBU’s campus.

In 2007, the Williams family gifted the University with the creation of the Williams Fountain, which provides a place of rest and reflection outside of the Morris Center. They have also established an endowed academic scholarship that honors their children and extended family, including their son-in-law Clay, who is a 1996 graduate of the HBU MBA program.

Kiza is the University’s seventh live mascot since students voted to adopt “Huskies” as the official mascot in 1965. Previous HBU mascots have been named Toby, Buttons, Mingo, Mingo II, Butch and Wakiza. A group of student volunteers – known as the Sled Team and led by Head Musher Rob Wiser – will care for Kiza and accompany her at organizational rallies, athletic games and student body functions, where she will serve as an ambassador for the University.

Houston Baptist University is an independent, private Christian liberal arts institution with a diverse student body. The University is dedicated to the development of the intellect, the moral character and the spiritual lives of its students. It has access to all the cultural advantages of one of the largest metropolitan centers in the country.