Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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homecomma drad ons a e comcd Q8eao(' ? o dcmdnao ? a cddra on o Or I dsJj v'it Homecoming celebrations took on many forms this year and lasted the entire week leading up to the football game. These events gave students a chance to enjoy Beaver spirit and participate in competitions of their own. Greek houses and campus residence halls took part in an annual competition of decorating their houses with the best Beaver spirit they could find. Football fields and Beaver pride filled the yards and windows of QSU student living facilities Friday afternoon. In the spirit of I lomecoming students helped to Paint the Town Orange,” the theme of this years Homecoming. Orange and black signs tilled the lawns and windows displaying “Beaver Nation,” “Beaver Believer” and “Dam those Wildcats.” Miniature football games, graveyards, boxing rings and tailgaters were all yard themes. The winners of this year’s competition were Acacia and Pi Beta Phi who created a W ildcat graveyard. It was the traditional football field with the same beaver that occupies the center of Reser Stadium and a boxing ring complete with Benny duking it out with the Wildcat. Another celebration was Benny’s Birthday Bash which was held in the Memorial I'nion quad on Oct. 2. Throughout the quad many of Benny’s fans were able to enjoy the music and entertainment. People cat cake, and t(K k pictures with Benny the Beaver. There were raffles and many activities. People had fun while celebrating 53 years of Benny. A man who had graduated from Oregon State in 1952 said, “Benny used to be so mean looking, and now I l x k at him, wanting to take a picture with him. It’s a wonder what happens over a few years. At Benny’s bash those who came to celebrate were also able to learn about his life, how he became our mascot, and about the changes in costuming. Benny the Beaver was not the first mascot of Oregon State. Instead, a coyote named Jimmy was in fact the first official mascot. A bulldog, who was never recognized as an official mascot. followed him and in 1893 there was an actual human mascot named John Robert Newton Bell who was the team’s most avid fan. In 1945 Benny the Beaver was introduced. Ken Austin was the first student to appear as Benny at an C )regon State athletic event, which was in Sep. 1951. Austin, who graduated in 1953 was recognized as an outstanding student for his sch x l spirit. With time, the Benny costume came to have many faces; in particular an angry face and a calm face. The angry face was for games and the calm one was to interact with his fans. To conclude the week, the Beaver football team t x k on the University of Arizona. The game brought many students, as well as alumni who had attended class reunions, together to cheer on the Beavers. All the festivities created a great game day atmosphere. The football team played hard, making the game close, but in the end lost to University of Arizona 29-27. Story by Vanessa Bosch, Devon Faber and Amy Jack Events i. 7ra( fions

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audience before introducing the next performer. Photo by Justine Rykken Above middle: Ms. Mercedes Platinum, a perfect example of makeup magic, performs for a devil in the audience. Above right: Sporting the perfect way to top any performer Appleonia Peach List, continues on her dramatic dance. Photos by Justine Rykken Above: Ms. Vegas Beyoncc performs towards the end of the drag show. Her exhibition was a spotlighted song and dance finale. Photo by Justine Rykken

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brand new look. Photo by Haley Rasmussen Above: Going back as early as 1907. the homecoming bonfire is the oldest campus tradition. This year the fire took place across from Reser Stadium in the Magruder parking lot. Photo by Josh Maguire Above middle: Acacia and Pi Beta Phi are the winners of the house decorating portion of the homecoming festivities. Here. Brain Moore as Benny and Tim Phillips as the Arizona Wildcat are duking it out in the boxing nng made as part of the house decorations in front of Acacia. Photo by Vanessa Bosch Above right: An Arizona player tackles sophomore wide receiver Anthony Wheat-Brown. Wheat-Brown is one of OSU’s best receivers. Photo by Dylan Boye Homecomin f M