Bluffton University mascots J. Denny Beaver and Jenny Beaver had a special appreciation for kids this year as all four performers were education majors.

The students’ identities were revealed at halftime of the men’s basketball game on Jan. 16, during a ceremony that traditionally marks the only time that college mascots remove their costume heads in public.

Introduced as this year’s J. Dennys were junior education major Mickie Gonwick from Hicksville, and senior math education major, Abby Jerger from Middletown. The Jenny’s were senior education major Hannah Krull from Lewisburg, and junior education major Jenna Moreo from Delphos.

Gonwick is involved on campus in organizations such as Sunday Night Worship, Resident Hall Association, SERVE and is also a resident advisor.

A senior on the women’s basketball team, Jerger is also involved on campus as the vice president of the Student Alumni Association, secretary of the Bluffton Education Organization, is a student ambassador and a member of the honors program.

Krull is involved in various activities on campus. She is a member of Bluffton Education Organization, has been a resident advisor for three years and is a captain of Bluffton’s Track and Field Team.

Moreo is a member of Marbeck Center Board, an active member of SERVE and works at the Marbeck information desk.

Robin Bowlus, Bluffton’s director of public relations, presented a Varsity B jacket and a plaque to each of the students, who, as volunteers, are not paid for the many hours spent as J. Denny and Jenny. They will continue their mascot role through the end of the academic year.

J. Denny Beaver became Bluffton’s mascot in August 2010. He is named in honor of Dr. J. Denny Weaver, professor emeritus of religion and longtime faculty athletics representative at Bluffton.

The Jan. 16 ceremony also kicked off the application process for the 2015-16 mascots. Any interested Bluffton students can find an application online at www.bluffton.edu/jdennybeaver or look for it on Facebook and Twitter.