Reviewed by: Caleb Turrentine
Roscoe the Dog: The heartbeat of NACC
Reading time: 3 minutes
At Northeast Alabama Community College, nestled between the small towns of Rainsville and Powell, there’s one figure who used to walk the campus daily without a backpack, degree plan, or office hours.
But everyone knew his name.
Meet Roscoe, he’s the unofficial mascot and four-legged celebrity at NACC.
Roscoe’s story
Roscoe, a black Labrador, first wandered on campus in 2015. He was a neighborhood dog whose family had moved.
He kept coming back to NACC and quickly won over the students and faculty. NACC President Dr. David Campbell fed him and gave him a home at the college.
Over time, everyone became attached to Roscoe. He had a soft, calm presence that brightened everyone’s day.
Roscoe followed Dr. Campbell around campus, sat outside lecture halls, and offered silent companionship to students dealing with the stress of college.
A pup with a routine
Roscoe had many spots on campus that he enjoyed. He had a doghouse on campus to sleep in if it was stormy, hot, or cold. Sometimes, he would sleep inside one of the college’s buildings.
Roscoe loved to sit outside of the Wallace Administration building under a shady tree. Students might have seen him catching a quick nap or being gently petted outside the Student Center.
Each morning, Roscoe would wander over to the Student Services building with President Campbell to be greeted with treats or belly rubs by faculty and staff.
Forever remembered
Roscoe was seen as a celebrity on campus. He was featured regularly on NACC’s social media and had his own hashtag. He’s even on t-shirts and other NACC merch.
Roscoe would attend graduation every year to congratulate the students.
In May 2022, Roscoe passed away. President Campbell decided to bury Roscoe near the college’s walking trail and create a statue in his honor.
In 2022, a life-sized statue of Roscoe and Trouper, NACC’s mascot, was unveiled. It’s outside the Student Center and forever encapsulates the loyal companion and bright spirit Roscoe was to everyone on campus.
Roscoe is still a part of the campus, and his legacy continues to live on. Whether you’re touring, a nervous freshman, or a seasoned professor, the next time you visit NACC, stop by the statue. Say hello to Roscoe and Trouper!
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