By Micah Friez
Published 1:08 pm on May 22, 2025
As a recipient of the Bucky Forever Fund Scholarship, Ivan Tavarez had big shoes to fill.
Bucky the Beaver’s, specifically.
Tavarez, a member of Bemidji State University’s graduating Class of 2025, has spent the past year inside the iconic beaver costume to bring Bemidji’s favorite buck-toothed, tail-wagging, dam-building mascot to life. And he has Bucky to thank for some of his success, as the scholarship support that he’s received has guided him toward a degree in economics.
“The more I did it, it was just amazing,” Tavarez said of being Bucky. “I had so much fun. I could not have thought that it was going to be that much fun.”
The Bucky Forever Fund is a scholarship initiative awarded to students who excel academically and serve as Bemidji State’s mascot at athletic games, university events and more. The program is designed to foster school spirit, reward dedicated students and build a sense of community among alumni and current students.
Tavarez, an international student from the Dominican Republic, credits constant family support from back home for helping him reach the Commencement stage. He said scholarships also played a central role in the process, and he expressed his gratitude for donors who help students like him succeed.
“Scholarships, they help a lot… especially when you’re paying out of pocket and you’ve got to find a way to make it through every semester,” Tavarez said. “It doesn’t matter how much it is. As long as you’re getting something, it’s helping and it’s making it easier.”
To support students like Tavarez — and Bucky — you can make a donation to the Bucky Forever Fund today. Click below to get started.
