Winnie-the-Pooh, c. 1940.

Class of 1940: Winnie-the-Pooh

The Class of 1940 continued the practice of choosing a fictional character as their mascot when they elected Winnie-the-Pooh.

The works of A. A. Milne (1882-1956) popularized the bear. He first appeared in Winnie-the-Pooh in 1926 and gained even more popularity when The House at Pooh Corner was published in 1928. By the mid-1930s, Pooh had appeared in color and became a significant cultural figure.

Peter Rabbit, c. 1940.

Students with Peter Rabbit, c. 1940.

Class of 1941: Peter Rabbit

Peter Rabbit came to Simmons when the Class of 1941 elected him as their mascot.

By the time they did so, Peter Rabbit was already an internationally-known character. Created by the English author and illustrator Beatrix Potter (1866-1943), Peter Rabbit first appeared in The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902). He would reappear in a series of five more books which were published between 1904 and 1912.

Students with Raggedy Ann, 1940.

Raggedy Ann and Andy, c. 1940.

Class of 1942: Raggedy Ann and Andy

While Raggedy Ann served as the Class of 1937’s mascot, the Class of 1942 opted to elect both Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy as their mascots. As the 1940 Microcosm stated:

One mascot wasn’t enough for us so now we follow the lively leadership of Honey’s pet charges, Ann and Andy.

Raggedy Ann first appeared in 1915 as a doll and was popularized with the release of Raggedy Ann Stories in 1918. Raggedy Andy, her brother, was introduced to the world two years later in the book Raggedy Andy Stories (1920).

Students with Panda Bear, c. 1943.

Panda Bear To Make Debut At Luncheon For Sophomores, 1941.

Class of 1943: Panda Bear

The Class of 1943 was the first to select a panda bear as their mascot. 

Many members of the Class carried around stuffed panda bears to show their Simmons spirit.

Are Seldom, if ever, Dopes . . . , c. 1942.

Class of 1944: Little Lulu

The Class of 1944 elected the mischievous Little Lulu as their mascot.

Little Lulu was popularized through the Little Lulu comic strip, created in 1935 by Marjorie Henderson Buell (1904-1993). The strip first debuted in The Saturday Evening Post in February of that year and continued until December 30, 1944. Little Lulu was known for being a resourceful young lady with many tricks up her sleeves.

Mr. Gremlin, Little Lulu, and Black Lamb, 1944. 

Black Lamb Baas In, 1942. 

Class of 1945: Black Lamb

The Class of 1945 elected a black lamb as their mascot. 

In the 1942 Microcosm, a student comically commented on the origins of their mascot and its peculiar appearance: 

When March came in like a lamb this year, we decided he would have to be our class mascot, so the Little Black Lamb was adopted by ’45. We hasten to state here and now that any resemblance to a black sheep, living or dead, is purely accidental.

Students posed with Mr. Gremlin, 1946. 

Class of 1946 Microcosm page, 1946. 

Class of 1946: Mr. Gremlin

Whereas other Classes chose a popular cultural figure or an animal to serve as their mascot, the Class of 1946 opted for Mr. Gremlin as their representative.

Mr. Gremlin was a stuffed toy carried around by Class members throughout campus and at a variety of events. He could also be found in the dormitories, where he was a central presence in the lives of the Class of 1946. 

Class of 1947 Microcosm page, 1947.

Frosh Mascot Is Guest At Formal, 1947.

Class of 1947: Tabu S. Kunk

Tabu S. Kunk, a small skunk, was chosen as the Class of 1947's mascot. 

Tabu was widely adored by his Class and was a friendly presence on campus for all students, as noted in the 1946 Microcosm:

Tabu S. Kunk, mascot of the class of 1947, extended odiferous greetings to the Freshmen during Orientation week. On his best behavior as host of the Junior Welcome Committee, he introduced the newest Simmons students to the college of their choice.

Frisky the Colt, c. 1948.

Alumnae and Frisky the Colt, 1998.

Class of 1948: Frisky the Colt

Frisky the Colt was the first, and only, equine to serve as a Simmons College mascot. 

Illustrations of Frisky could be found throughout Class of 1948 materials and a stuffed Frisky the Colt was carried around by Class members. 

Dopey with diploma, 1949.

Class of 1949: Dopey

The Class of 1949 elected Dopey to serve as their mascot over a decade after he was first introduced to the world in Disney’s 1937 animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The Class of 1949, like classes before them, adored their mascot and he played a central role in their time at Simmons, as recognized by the 1949 Microcosm:

[S]mall felt replicas can be found in almost any girl’s room and birthday cards with a picture of a Dopey, an elephant, a fawn, or a penguin are prized pieces of mail to any Simmons underclassman or grad.