Meet Nelson

“My name is Nelson, and I’m the Aquinas College mascot. Saint Bernards were originally bred to guide travelers through the Western Alps, and I use those same skills to help our students through their college journey. So, let me be your guide to the AQ experience!” 

—Nelson

Why a Saint Bernard? 
Believe it or not, Nelson wasn’t always the Aquinas mascot. Aquinas didn’t even have a mascot until 1990, when the programming board was looking for ways to boost morale on campus, especially within athletics. 

A little-known fact is that Aquinas had a different mascot before Nelson: a squirrel, which they named “the Gipper.” Since there are 10,000+ trees on Aquinas’ 117-acre campus, there are many, many squirrels. It was a fun, lighthearted joke on campus. Still, for all his quirky charm, the Gipper’s days were numbered. 

According to our campus historian, Ryan Wendt, “the Gipper only lasted until 1996 because its costume became very dirty, worn out, and torn.” Looking at pictures, it’s widely agreed upon that “the Gipper” was more than a little creepy. We’re all very grateful that the Aquinas Circle and Student Activities Office decided to replace him. 

After ditching the Gipper, this gap brought up the question once more: what mascot best showcases the AQ spirit? 

Eventually, they landed on a Saint Bernard, playing off our collective nickname, “Saints.” In other words, the Saint Bernard is a “Saint,” just like the rest of us.

The name, “Nelson,” came from a real person: President R. Paul Nelson. He held the presidential position from 1990–1997 and eventually retired after spending 28 years with Aquinas College. The presidential transition just happened to coincide with the decision to change the mascot. The students voted to name the mascot after him.  

The “Nelson” suit itself endured its own share of wear and tear, spanning multiple iterations, but most Saints can agree that the dog is a much better option than the squirrel. 

Nelson’s introduction was ultimately a positive and definitive turning point in how students engage with the AQ spirit. From there, our community members leaned into this idea of the Saint Bernard, finding ways to integrate him into campus life. 

A 2010 clipping from “The Saint,” our student-led newspaper, sums this up perfectly: “Luckily, we at Aquinas have a mascot, the lovable Nelson. We have the rollicking tune, “When the Saints go Marching in,” to sing. We have t-shirts. Most importantly, we have the athletic teams that can deliver the victories that make it easy to cheer.” 

Today, you can always count on Nelson to bring the spirit to AQ events. Whether you’re attending a sporting event or a much larger ceremony like commencement, you’re sure to see him there.