Finding out the secret identity of the Beavers is a Bluffton tradition that brings students together. As we approach winter sports and basketball season when the Beavers are typically revealed, students have begun theorizing who this year’s Beaver mascots may be.
“My guess would be Anton Miller, Laura Irwin, or maybe Kennedy Weaver,” said Genoa Arling, a senior social work major.
Sophomore social work major Logan Hurt agreed with Arling in her guess of Miller and Irwin. Whereas Grant Klinger, a sophomore medical laboratory research major, points the finger at Hurt and brings a new name into the pot of possibilities.
“I think it might be Laura Irwin, Logan Hurt or Paris Cheek,” said Klinger.
“At this point I hope it’s me because everyone thinks it’s me,” said Jeremy Locklear, a senior food nutrition and business major.
Cal Johans as a beaver in 2021.
Photo submitted by Cal Johans.
Cal Johans, a senior music education major and former Bluffton University beaver gave insight into the 2022-23 beaver selections.
“I was a beaver in the 2021-2022 school year, so during the Covid year,” said Johans. “So my experience was very different from the current Beavers. It was a lot of Marbeck After Dark and Thursday Night Spotlight events.”
Although their experiences as a Beaver mascot were different compared to past and present beavers, Johans was involved in this year’s audition process for the new J. Denny and Jenny Beavers.
According to Johans, those who make the final decisions typically look for people who are dependable, available and reliable when it comes to going through with their work.
“It sounds weird to say, but they look for someone who can lie because the identity of the Beavers is a secret and it needs to stay a secret for the rest of the semester or in some people’s case, for multiple years,” said Johans.
Johans gave some hints for anyone trying to guess the identity of this years Beaver mascots.
“Let me say that honestly, all five current Beavers are very very involved in everything on campus. You look at like almost any club or type of student organization like SERVE or other activities that are involved in student engagement and bettering of the campus, and that’s where you could find them.”
Evan Burden, a ’22 music education major and another Beaver mascot during the 2021-22 school year, reflected on his experience and insight as a Jenny Beaver.
“During the Beaver auditions, we are looking for people who look natural and comfortable in the suit,” said Burden. “People who have good energy and can interact positively with other students….”
Burden also took part in deciding who the next set of Beavers should be.
“I loved getting to be on the other side selecting the next generation of beavers,” said Burden. “It was so much fun getting to talk to them and see their personalities shine through during their auditions!”
Although Burden cannot offer any helpful hints in the investigation of determining who the mystery Beavers are, he encourages us all to keep guessing.
