Say hello to “Betty the Panther,” the newest Chapman mascot

The newest of Chapman University’s pride of panther statues, “Betty the Panther,” was formally dedicated on Wednesday, April 22 as part of the annual campus Spring Sizzle festival.

The statue – depicting a panther leaping up to try to capture an eagle — is named in honor of the late philanthropist and longtime Chapman supporter Betty Hutton Williams. The particularly athletic leap of the university mascot is emblematic of Williams’ indomitable support and enthusiasm for Chapman, President Jim Doti said during the dedication.

“Betty the Panther truly embodies and personifies that incredible spirit. Betty was a Chapman champion,” Doti said.

The Sports Center is named for Betty Hutton’s late husband, Harold.  After an adventurous life and rags-to-riches success in the oil industry (chronicled in the book
The Hutton Story
, by Sir Eldon Griffiths and Chapman professors Roberta Lessor and Myron Yeager), both Betty and Harold served as Chapman trustees. The couple were major benefactors to Chapman University over the years, with gifts to capital campaigns and funding of the Hutton Sports Center.

The life-sized bronze statue was created by Colorado-based artist Rosetta, one of the world’s most acclaimed wildlife sculptors. It is the sixth panther sculpture by Rosetta to grace the Chapman campus, all named for Chapman friends and benefactors.