Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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V I Opposite Page: Joe Nisscn works hard at picking up trash around campus. Beaver Joe cheers as the Beaver team scores. Joe Nisscn changes to “Ball I lead lor a home Mens Basketball game.

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I ■T ? e JyLAAJlA 11 Q t omecomiiT Homecoming 1994. Wherever I looked , I saw myriads of cars, RV s, and orange and black- clad people I with Benny Beaver faces on their l.chests. The unmistakeable aroma ol burnt hot dogs and charcoaled chicken filled my nose while I made ,my way past the numerous tailgate barbecues, coolers stocked with beer, lawn chairs, and OSU alumni. At the annual OSU Alumni •Barbecue, I approached Carol Stratford Thayer, a Home Economics graduate from the Class of 1954. AVhen I asked her what brought her to Homecoming, Ms. Stratford said she enjoyed Homecoming lor ’the opportunity to see her friends again. Hildie Oliver Green, a graduate in Business from the Class of 1986, voiced the same sentiment. “I like that Homecoming 'draws all the people that used to go here, she said. I Before long, the band played the National Anthem, and the announcer introduced the first annual Beaver Walk of Fame in which men from past OSU Football Teams formed two lines down the field and welcomed the 1994 OSU Football Team onto the field. Hailed by boo's, Stanford University’s football team crowded onto the field, and within minutes, the Homecoming game commenced. With the game underway, I set out to discover what was special about Homecoming for the people gathered in the stands. When I asked Greg Wallace, a senior in Exercise and Sport Science, what he liked best about Homecoming, he told me that 'its cool to see everyone come together —the alumni and the students—and have fun. Old people, young people, any- one. Hmm...I thought. Is that what makes Homecoming so special? Heather Bovd, a senior in Crop Science confirmed my suspicion. I asked why she came to the Homecoming game. Why not? she challenged me. I love the school spirit and the school pride that Homecoming brings out. That’s what Homecoming must be about, I reasoned to myself as I walked away from the game after OSU fell to Stanford, 25 to 39. It is more than just the football game. It is a celebration of being together and being a vital part of Oregon State University as alumni, (acuity, and students. Well then, OSU, I’m glad I came home. Lisa Louie 15 Homecoming

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A True I -ct s go Beavers! Go Beavers Go!” 11 you allend a loot ball, basketball, volleyball, wrestling. gymnastics. or softball game, those shouts ol enthusiasm are ones you would hear j from OSU s number one Ian, Beaver Joe. Albert Joseph I Nissen. better known as Beaver Joe. claims he got his ' nickname from his homemade basketball hat. About four years ago. when he began regularly attending OSU’s games, he also started wearing his famous hat. Made from an authentic orange and white OSU basketball, with two eye holes and a piece cut out around his nose and ,mouth, Beaver Joe regularly wears this headpiece when he attends basketball games. Along with his hat.you might even catch Beaver Joe wearing a cheerleader skirt to sporting events. On a regular day, Beaver Joe can be seen around cam- pus hard at work in his favorite OSU Beavers cap on which he wrote Joe Nissen 1 Ian. In his fourthyear of being employed at OSU, Beaver Joe has mastered the art of keeping the campus grounds clean. Joe's responsibilities linclude picking up trash and keeping an eye on any unsightly messes. With the campus divided into three sections, Joe carefully goes out everyday. armed with a bucket and a trash picker, to work one of the three sections. Joe has earned great respect Irom his co-workers who claim the campus has never been cleaner since Joe started working here. When Joe isn’t working or cheering on the Beavers, he goes bowling or spends time keeping up on Beaver facts. Joe has memorized all the facts about the Beavers he can. especially football facts. He knows about every time the Beavers have plaved in any bowl game, and as il that isn't impressive enough, he knows all the scores from the games, when and where they were played and who won. I le also collects all the Beaver paraphenalia he can get his hands on. claiming his lavorite colors are orange and black. When asked what makes Joe love OSU sports so much, he simply replies. I love the tradition in the way the games are played.” Born and raised in Monroe, OR. Beaver Joe lived there until about 10 years ago. I le attended Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis and played basketball during that time. Now in his 26th year. Beaver Joe looks forward to living in Corvallis for a long time in an apartment he shares with a roommate. Joe has definitely made an impression on many of the students and stall at OSU. Very few people have come across such a dedicated fan and worker. Beaver Joe is the definition lor dedication, states Gina Severino, a sophomore in International Business. She like many other students at OSU are amazed at the time and effort that Beaver Joe puts in his support of the Beavers. No matter how the Beavers perform. Beaver Joe is always there to cheer them on. There’s no question about it: Beaver Joe is the truest Beaver Believer at Oregon State Uni-versity. Angela Altfillisch 5 liiunrr. tv