A hare-raising tale

Easter may be six months away, but lately, UD students have spotted a bunny hopping through UD’s campus — and not of the chocolate variety. Bun-Bun is a gray and white Dutch rabbit owned by computer science graduate student Michael Chase, and he’s become a bit of a bunny celebrity on campus, spreading smiles wherever she goes. 

“It’s nice hanging out with her,” Chase said. “When I do yoga at home, I let her hang out and we’ll stretch together. She encourages me to be healthy.”

But Chase didn't get Bun Bun because he wanted a pet; he just wanted a car. Unsatisfied with his dilapidated car he used to drive to his job at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base during his junior year, he was looking for an alternative ride, which came in the form of his friend’s 2005 Honda Civic. 

Instead of coming with strings attached, the car came with bunny ears attached, as Chase’s friend would only give him the car if he took care of a bunny that she found next to a dumpster in a cage. Chase’s friend could no longer support Bun Bun in her new apartment, so Chase kindly took her in and let her live in his Lawnview apartment. 

Chase began his undergraduate studies at UD in 2017, but noticed a decline in social activity following COVID-19. But he thought of a way to make new friends and brighten the community. 

“I took her out really just to cheer people up,” he said. 

Chase noticed the power Bun Bun had at making friends and strangers smile, inspiring him to bring her to dorms, Outdoor Adventure Club meetings, cookouts and even St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. 

“It often is the best part of the day for them since they got to hold a bunny,” he said. 

He loves sharing Bun Bun with the world and recalls how letting those around him hold Bun Bun brought them immense joy on the worst days. 

“No one can frown when there’s a bunny.”

Bun Bun even brightens Chase’s work life. Besides working at the Air Force base, he works with students at the Dayton Regional STEM School, who are overjoyed when Bun Bun visits. Chase recently founded his own computer repair business in The Hub called the Digital Assistance & Mobile Integration Team, where Bun Bun has become an integral part of the team. 

“She’s the HR department,” he said. “I just repair computers and write software.”

Chase hopes to further develop his business by entering the Flyer Pitch contest and be able to hire student employees. He may also be interested in working as a faculty member at UD and work in UDIT or the Roger Glass Center for the Arts. 

No matter what the future holds for Chase, Bun Bun will be there to accompany him on his endeavors, so be on the lookout for UD’s floppy-eared friend on the next sunny day on campus. 

“I love having her around and love spreading the joy on campus when I can,” Chase said.