Bill Cosby giving university dog mascot

PITTSBURGH, March 26 (UPI) -- Carnegie Mellon University said comedian and Philadelphia native Bill Cosby is giving the Pittsburgh school its first official live mascot, a Scottish terrier.

The university, which was founded in 1900, confirmed last year that after decades of consideration, the Scottie dog would officially be named as the institution's symbol, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said Wednesday.

Carnegie Mellon released a brief statement from Cosby, in which he notes how important it is for students to have a life outside their school work.

"The dog raises one's self-esteem," said Cosby, who is donating a Scottish terrier from a Canadian breeder in Calgary.

The campus canine mascot is to make its debut this fall, the Post-Gazette said.