Bluffton University mascots J. Denny Beaver and Jenny Beaver were very busy this year as all of the students inside the suits are involved in multiple student clubs and athletic teams on campus.
 
The students’ identities were revealed at halftime of the men’s basketball game on Jan. 28, 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 English and public relations double major Micayla Hanover from Sidney,
• and junior accounting and business administration double major, Ryan Golden from Findlay,
• The Jennys were sophomore biology and chemistry double major Sarah Oliver from Lexington,
• and junior biblical and theological studies major Katie Keesbury from Defiance.
 
Hanover is involved on campus in organizations such as PALs, Women’s Circle, Anime Club and various clubs in the music Department.

A sophomore on the track team, Oliver is also involved in the Science Club, Bluffton University Nutrition Association and is a resident advisor in Ropp Hall.
 
Along with being J. Denny, Golden is a member of the baseball team, Homecoming committee and is a resident adviser in Ramseyer Hall.
 
Keesbury has been Jenny Beaver for two years. She is also a member of Bluffton’s Student Alumni Association and works as an assistant in the religion department.

Sara Kisseberth, multimedia manager, presented a Varsity B jacket and a plaque to each of the students, who are volunteers and 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. 28 ceremony also kicked off the application process for the 2016-17 mascots. Bluffton University students may apply online, at www.bluffton.edu/jdennybeaver.
 
Photo: From left, Katie Keesbury, Ryan Golden, Sarah Oliver and Micayla Hanover reveal they are the 2016-17 Bluffton University mascots.