Boston University Terriers: History, Traditions, and Mascot

Boston University (BU) boasts a rich history, vibrant traditions, and a beloved mascot that embodies the spirit of the university. From its humble beginnings as a Methodist seminary to its current status as a leading research institution, BU has cultivated a unique identity shaped by academic excellence, community engagement, and a deep sense of tradition.

From Newbury Biblical Institute to Boston University

The story of BU begins in Newbury, Vermont, with the Newbury Biblical Institute, a Methodist seminary. In 1869, three trustees successfully relocated the school to Massachusetts, where it was chartered as Boston University.

Traditions That Define the BU Experience

Over the years, BU has developed a set of unique traditions that contribute to the student experience and foster a sense of community. These traditions range from lighthearted fun to meaningful engagement with the wider world.

The BU Rock

The Boston University Greek Rock, a prominent landmark on campus, serves as a canvas for the university's Greek fraternities and sororities. These organizations regularly spray-paint the rock with their colors and messages, vying to leave their mark on campus with administration approval.

Hockey East Tournament

Ice hockey holds a special place in the hearts of BU students. Every February, the Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey teams compete against Northeastern, Harvard, and Boston College in the annual Hockey East Tournament, a two-week event that generates excitement and school spirit.

The Marsh Plaza Seal

Superstition permeates college campuses, and BU is no exception. According to campus lore, stepping on the Marsh Plaza Seal dooms a student to a longer-than-expected college career, preventing them from graduating in four years.

Lobster Night

Since 1985, BU dining halls have hosted an annual Lobster Night. Each student gets a full steamed lobster plus all the fixings.

Boston Marathon

When April rolls around, BU students look forward to warmer weather and the Boston Marathon. The marathon route passes near the BU campus, and students often gather to cheer on the runners.

Pumpkin Drop

The Physics Department launches dozens of pumpkins off the roof of the Metcalf Center for Science and Engineering each October.

Broomball

BU’s most popular intramural sport, broomball, is a mix of ice hockey, curling, and golf.

Global Days of Service (GDS)

BU fosters a strong commitment to community service. The university organizes Global Days of Service (GDS) throughout April, offering a range of volunteer opportunities for students and alumni. GDS projects include activities such as picking up trash along the Charles River, writing letters to first-generation students, and packing meals. In 2024, GDS hosted 80 projects across the world, with 425 volunteers participating and serving 1,771 hours across 57 cities.

The origins of GDS can be traced back to the early 1950s, when Marsh Chapel was constructed under the leadership of BU President Daniel Marsh. The chapel emphasized service, and in 1986, a group of students founded "The League" to address issues facing the Boston community. The University took over operation of The League in 1991, renaming it the Community Service Center (CSC).

The First-Year Student Outreach Project (FYSOP) offers opportunities to engage in community service activities in Boston. Staffed by volunteers, FYSOP aims to educate students on the impact of service and encourage reflection. Alternative Service Breaks (ASB) takes students deeper into the world of service.

The Terrier Mascot: Rhett

The Boston terrier is BU’s mascot. In November 1922, students debated whether the University’s mascot should be a bull moose or a Boston terrier. Despite initial reservations about their size, one student newspaper writer praised the Boston terrier by saying, “the Boston terrier has the characteristics we greatly desire in our athletic teams: loyalty, courage, determination, speed, enterprise, ‘PEP.’”

Though the BU mascot has no official name, he is known among the community as “Rhett.” Rhett serves as a unifying force for BU’s student body. He brings spirit and joy to athletic events and is a revered figure on campus.

Read also: History of the BU Bridge

The Boston terrier breed originated in the United States during the 19th century. A crossbreed of a bulldog and white English terrier, the Boston terrier was initially bred for the purpose of dog fighting. Boston terriers went on to become high-society companions instead, and were popular among women because of their smaller size and gentle expression. Appearance-wise, Boston terriers are known to sport a tuxedo coat that can range in color from black to dark brown, and they typically weigh no more than 25 pounds. Highly intelligent and people oriented, Boston terriers are known for their playful and energetic nature and quick learning ability.

The Real-Life Rhett

The terrier’s name is Rhett - named after BU’s official school mascot, also a Boston terrier - and belongs to Allston resident Calvin Iwanicki. Iwanicki said Rhett is an Arkansan Boston terrier who was born on Jan. 26, 2008. Rhett's fame started when a BU photographer took a picture of Rhett for a BU “Scarlet Fever” spirit day advertisement, Iwanicki said.

Rhett has been walking around BU since September 2008 and has started recognizing different spots on campus.

Rhett also enjoys drinking some alcoholic beverages, in particular, Vermont beer Magic Hat #9. Rhett and Iwanicki come to campus whenever they please. Iwanicki said he uses the weather and Rhett’s energy level to determine when is best to come to and leave campus.

Rhett's Evolution

Sometime after Margaret Mitchell’s best-selling novel, Gone with the Wind, was published in 1936, the mascot was named after its male protagonist-Rhett Butler. In the 1950s, students began donning a Rhett costume not only at athletic games, but also at youth clinics, national cheerleading competitions, and various BU promotional and holiday events. Rhett has been known to stop by the George Sherman Union, dining halls, and other campus venues to help mark special occasions. Rhett has undergone a few makeovers through the decades, most recently in 2006, when he had his ears shortened and his fur went from largely gray to predominantly black.

Controversy Surrounding the Name

Boston University’s mascot may be renamed due to its association with the book and film “Gone With the Wind,” BU president Robert A. Brown wrote. “Gone With the Wind” was removed from HBO’s new streaming service, HBO Max, in June after “12 Years a Slave” writer-director John Ridley raised concerns about the movie’s glorification of “the antebellum South.” “Despite this seemingly cute connection between the movie and our mascot’s name, the fact is that the movie’s portrayal of the American Civil War, postwar reconstruction, and slavery is offensive,” Brown wrote. “And it is reasonable for people to question why, at a university founded by abolitionists, we have a mascot nicknamed for a character in a film whose racist depictions are completely at odds with our own tradition."

Notable Figures

In 1875, BU professor Alexander Graham Bell received a year’s salary advance to pursue his research. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. received his PhD in Theology from BU in 1955.

tags: #boston #university #terriers #history #traditions