D’Artagnon Beaver, Building Community at WPU

D’Artagnon Beaver is a student-athlete at William Penn University. His unique name was inspired by The Three Musketeers, but his skills as a track and cross country competitor make him perfectly suited for his nickname: Dart. 

Growing up, Dart’s passion for basketball ultimately led him to discover his love of running. In high school, he started making significant progress as a runner, dropping time and improving quickly. "By my freshman year in high school, running really started to click," Dart said. Though he balanced both sports, his dedication to running grew stronger and eventually led him to pursue track and cross country at the collegiate level.

"By my freshman year in high school, running really started to click,

Dart transferred from Hawkeye Community College to William Penn University and quickly found community. He wholeheartedly embraces campus life and is an active leader in the academic and athletic communities. 

On the track, Dart leads by example, pushing himself and his teammates to new heights. Off the track, he draws inspiration from his faith, understanding that true leadership is rooted in service and compassion. He demonstrates this in ways large and small, whether he is "driving a teammate to Walmart who doesn’t have a car or diving into deep conversations at Smokey Row," Dart explained.

Dart maintains a positive outlook as he navigates personal challenges. His father was diagnosed with Pick’s disease, a form of Alzheimer’s, and his mother has been battling breast cancer since he was in eighth grade. Dart sees running as a form of solace and strength. He’s learned valuable lessons about endurance and consistency, which he applies both in athletics and in life.

‍"The difficult part about distance running is you have to endure suffering to get to the goal," Dart said. "The goal, like a personal record, is cool, but the journey and the struggles make it truly meaningful."

Beyond athletics and academics, Dart expresses his creativity through music. Under the pseudonym Bucket Hat Billy, Dart writes and performs songs that allow him to explore different aspects of his personality.

As Dart continues his journey at WPU, he remains focused on leaving a lasting impact through leadership and service. His dedication to his team, his faith, and his community is unwavering. "I hope to leave a lasting footprint on those around me," Dart said. "Running cross country and track is more than a sport for me; it’s a metaphor for life’s journey. It’s an avenue to share my faith, equip young men for the future, and make lifelong friends."

"I hope to leave a lasting footprint on those around me,"

We’re excited to honor Dart as a WinWon Scholar for his dedication to running, leadership, and community. He is an exceptional teammate and we have no doubt that he will continue to be a beacon of positivity and compassion at William Penn.