Alumnote: Barb Boutwell '68
09/04/2026
But before J. Denny had a name, before Jenny joined the family and before students auditioned to become the faces of Beaver spirit, there was Barb Boutwell ’68 and she had a paper-mâché Beaver head.
100 Years of Being a Beaver: The Faces, Stories and Spirit Behind Bluffton’s Mascot
Bluffton’s First Beaver Mascot Formally Revealed
Bluffton University is celebrating 100 years of being a Beaver in 2026. While today's J. Denny and Jenny Beaver are recognizable faces around campus, the Beaver's Bluffton story started long before either mascot had a name — or even a proper costume.
In 1926-27, longtime coach and athletic director A.C. Burcky suggested the beaver as a mascot because it represented the spirit of Bluffton student-athletes. Beavers are resourceful, don't tire easily, accomplish a lot with a little and work together to leave the world better than they found it.
One hundred years later, that description still feels pretty fitting.
The Beaver has taken a few forms over the years, from student-made costumes to Bucky Beaver and, eventually, the two furry faces Bluffton fans know today: J. Denny and Jenny.
But before J. Denny had a name, before Jenny joined the family and before students auditioned to become the faces of Beaver spirit, there was Barb Boutwell ’68 and she had a paper-mâché Beaver head.
Meet Bluffton's first Beaver
It was Homecoming 1967, and Bluffton was ready to bring the Beaver to life. The Women's
Varsity B, a women's athletic association at the time, was responsible for creating
the mascot. E. Kay (Motter ’69) Ahten Sommer made the paper-mâché head, and Boutwell
volunteered to be the first Beaver.
“I needed someone, and I said, 'okay, I'll do it',” she recalled. Boutwell was a senior elementary education major who played tennis, volleyball and basketball at Bluffton. “I’m athletic, but I’m not a cheerleader athlete,” she laughed, recalling how the suit required some skill and spirit to bring it to life.
The costume was a little less sophisticated than today's version. The paper-mâché head was cumbersome, and seeing through the eye holes required some careful positioning. “Once you tried moving your arms up, you couldn't see anymore,” she recalled.
Talking wasn't really an option either. So Boutwell relied on hand motions, cheers and plenty of enthusiasm to interact with fans. Her favorite memories came from working with the cheerleaders and being around the crowd, especially at basketball games where she could say hello to fans and make kids smile.
And, perhaps most surprisingly, nobody knew who was inside the suit.
The secret Beaver
Today, Bluffton's mascot program includes auditions, training and multiple students who share the role while keeping their identities secret. At the end of the year, the students behind J. Denny and Jenny are revealed.
Boutwell's time as a Beaver had a simple system, and still nobody knew. She was sometimes called Bucky, but there wasn't a formal name or reveal. Boutwell wore the costume for a few football and basketball games during her senior year, and as far as she knows, she took the secret with her when she graduated.
Nearly 60 years later, we're finally letting everyone in on it.
From Bucky to J. Denny and Jenny
The Beaver costume continued to evolve. Bucky Beaver eventually became a familiar face on campus, serving more than 20 years before retiring in 2007-08. In a fairwell alumnote, Bucky asked for little fanfare as he returned to the banks of the Riley, where his retirement plans included building dams from storm-damaged tree limbs and visiting friends near Mennonite Memorial Home.
But Bluffton wasn't going to stay without a Beaver for long. More than a year of planning culminated in September 2010 with the introduction of J. Denny Beaver. The goal was an athletic-looking mascot that was still approachable for children and embodied the spirit of a Bluffton student-athlete.
His name also carried a piece of Bluffton history. J. Denny was named in honor of Dr. J. Denny Weaver, professor emeritus of religion, who taught at Bluffton from 1975-2006 and served as the university's faculty athletics representative for 22 years. His passion for both academics and athletics made him a natural choice for the honor.
In fall 2014, Jenny Beaver joined him on campus, sharing mascot duties and giving shorter students an opportunity to “get in the suit.” Her addition had actually been envisioned when J. Denny was introduced.
Today, J. Denny and Jenny are fixtures at athletic events, campus celebrations and community appearances. Their costumes were created by Street Characters Inc., a Canadian company that has designed mascots for more than 100 colleges and universities.
The costumes have certainly changed since 1967. The eye holes work a little better. But the job hasn't changed all that much. Bring some energy. Make people smile. Represent Bluffton University
The Connections That Last
Boutwell went on to spend 40 years in education, teaching everything from second grade to high school. She spent 17 years teaching in Wapakoneta before moving to California, where she continued teaching and eventually worked with students at a continuation high school.
She also became a coach, starting and coaching programs in basketball, volleyball,
softball, track and tennis at Wapakoneta High School. She was inducted into Bluffton's
Hall of Fame as the third female inductee.
Boutwell has never really stopped being active. She still plays tennis, picked up pickleball in recent years, reads and goes to the gym. Boutwell’s activity extends beyond sports and exercise, too. She regularly visits friends in assisted living facilities, offering companionship and helping them stay connected to the outside world. She currently lives in Beaumont, Calif., with her partner Maggie.
But when asked about her time at Bluffton, Boutwell doesn't talk first about being the Beaver. She talks about the people. She still keeps in touch with former roommates, one in Ohio, one in Kansas and herself in California. Decades have passed, but those friendships remain part of her life.
Maybe that's the best part of being Beavers for 100 years. The mascot has changed. The costume has changed. The name has changed. But the connections made at Bluffton have endured. Through it all, we are Beavers, all; connected by the friendships, memories and sense of belonging that last long after graduation.