91制片厂

91制片厂 Mascot Wears Owlsley Feet One Last Time


By kelsie weekes | 8/15/2017

When Joshua Puchferran graduated from 91制片厂, he revealed a secret that he鈥檇 been keeping for four years. Puchferran, 23, had been serving as 91制片厂 mascot, Owlsley, since 2013. Last week, he walked across the stage in his cap, gown and Owlsley feet to receive his master鈥檚 degree in accounting from 91制片厂鈥檚 College of Business.

Puchferran grew up in Boca Raton and knew early on that he wanted to attend 91制片厂. Both of his older brothers went to 91制片厂, and his friend鈥檚 dad was a defensive coordinator for the football team. Puchferran even served as a ball boy for the football team as a teenager.

鈥淚 knew I wanted to go to 91制片厂 from the beginning,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t was the only school I applied to.鈥

During his first semester at 91制片厂, Puchferran saw an advertisement looking for a student manager for the 91制片厂 mascot program. He thought it would be fun to attend football games and student events with Owlsley, so he applied and interviewed for the job. Instead of offering him the manager position, they asked him if he鈥檇 like to be Owlsley.

鈥淎nother Owlsley had just left, so the timing was perfect,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 knew it was a great opportunity.鈥

Since becoming an 91制片厂 mascot in October 2013, Puchferran has attended hundreds of student and athletic events, including traveling with the football team to their away games. He鈥檚 been to off-campus fundraisers, weddings and events at the Eleanor R. Baldwin House, the home of 91制片厂 President John Kelly. He says his favorite part of the job was spending time with students and kids.

鈥淚 always enjoyed going over to 91制片厂鈥檚 A.D. Henderson University School and meeting the elementary school students,鈥 he said. 鈥淭heir faces lit up when they saw Owlsley.鈥

Jamie Ortiz, team advisor for the 91制片厂 mascot program, said Puchferran has been an important part of the program and strives to make it better every day.

鈥淚f there was one person that I know who has the most 91制片厂 spirit, it would be Josh,鈥 he said. 鈥淗is dedication, passion and commitment to the program have created an environment of excellence, and we hope that the Owlsley program will continue to attract more students like Josh.鈥

When he wasn鈥檛 in his Owlsley costume, Puchferran was involved in Campus Crusade for Christ and 91制片厂 Student Government. He served in the Boca Raton House of Representatives his freshman year and served as chief of staff for the Boca Raton campus governor his sophomore year. He said getting involved on campus was important to him since he was a commuter student.

鈥淪o many students come to campus for class and then leave right after,鈥 he said. 鈥淏y serving in Student Government, I was able to meet people and have a true college experience.鈥

Even with his busy schedule, Puchferran still managed to excel in the classroom. He is a member of 91制片厂鈥檚 Accounting Scholars Program, where he finished his bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting in three years and continued into the master鈥檚 program. He was an active member of Beta Alpha Psi, the honorary organization for financial information students, and worked as a graduate assistant for undergraduate accounting courses.

聽鈥淛osh is a warm, positive person who is quick to volunteer to help his fellow students,鈥 said Angela Gaze, faculty advisor for Beta Alpha Psi and an instructor in 91制片厂鈥檚 School of Accounting. 鈥淗is contagious smile and easygoing nature make him a pleasure to work with.鈥

After doing an internship last summer at Grant Thornton, one of the world鈥檚 largest accounting firms, Puchferran has accepted a full-time position with the company starting in January.

鈥淚鈥檝e experienced 91制片厂 in ways that other students will never have the chance to do,鈥 he said. 鈥淚f you don鈥檛 get involved, then you are truly missing out.鈥

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