Courtesy of Kassandra Haro
With the fall semester in full swing, Yale’s mascot, Handsome Dan, is back with a busy schedule, welcoming new and returning students, faculty, staff and visitors to Yale’s campus.
Handsome “Kingman” Dan XIX is named after former Yale President Kingman Brewster. Brewster was instrumental in diversifying the University, as under his tenure the enrollment of Black and Jewish students increased, and Yale began admitting female students.
Kassandra Haro ’18, program administrator and Handsome Dan handler, has had Handsome Dan since he was eight weeks old. The Handsome Dan tradition began with undergraduate Andrew Graves who had the first Handsome Dan in 1892, who was also the first live collegiate mascot, according to Haro. Now, Kingman continues the tradition as the nineteenth Handsome Dan.
While Handsome Dan’s day-to-day schedule varies from cheering on the student-athletes and attending events at the School of Medicine, Divinity School and even West Campus, students can typically find him at his home in Silliman College or at the Yale Visitor Center greeting prospective students and guests.
These past few weeks, Handsome Dan excitedly received first years on Move-in Day, met with students in the Camp Yale Pre-Orientation Launch Program and attended the Yale Graduate School Orientation Luncheon and Staff Appreciation Event.
Handsome Dan loves exploring Yale’s campus. “I like walks up Hillhouse Ave[nue], Alexander Walk and the Grove Street Cemetery. I’ll nap wherever, I am not picky, but I do like my outdoor cots in the Silliman Courtyard so I can bask in the sun,” Haro wrote on behalf of Kingman.
A fan of the vibrant food scene in New Haven, Handsome Dan loves to go to Koffee? for a puppuccino or Olmo for a slice of bacon if he’s “been a really good puppy,” according to Haro.
Haro, who runs Handsome Dan’s social media in addition to taking care of him, shared with the News that “making sure Dan is happy, healthy, well-mannered and continues to enjoy his job are my biggest priorities.”
Haro’s favorite thing about Handsome Dan is his personality.
“He’s the sweetest puppy but is also very cheeky and funny. When people get to know him they’re very surprised by how personable and humorous he is,” Haro wrote.
Brendan Kaminski ’28 echoed this sentiment. Reflecting on his first time meeting Handsome Dan at Bulldog Saturday this past April, Kaminski expressed that Handsome Dan’s kind personality made him feel right at ease.
“As someone who is typically cautious when interacting with dogs, I did not experience this apprehension when meeting Handsome Dan. He was very gentle and welcoming…[Handsome Dan] is a physical reminder of the spirit that brings Yalies together,” wrote Kaminski.
Lily Jiang ’28, who also met Handsome Dan at Bulldog Days, also praised Handsome Dan.
“He is the face of Yale, and he supports everyone. I like that he is friendly to the students and staff.”
Kingman began his tenure as Handsome Dan in 2021. His favorite tradition is the Yale-Harvard game, and he will be cheering on the Elis on Saturday, Nov. 23 in Cambridge this year.