OSU Stater Magazine Fall 2023

4 BRUCE the MOOSE Alumni who attended OSU through 1995 likely recognize the lovable, taxidermied muzzle of Bruce the Moose. About eight feet tall from hoof to antler tip, Bruce once stood sentry at the entrance to the Horner Museum, where it was a tradition to rub his shoulder for luck. Established 1925 (Bruce joined the collection in 1935), the museum gathered more than 60,000 artifacts and curiosities from around the world and was a draw for tourists and school children for decades. Its location, from 1950 to 1995, in the dank bowels of Gill Coliseum, had some drawbacks, as the Oregon Stater recounted: “Sticky syrup from soft drinks spilled by Beaver basketball fans dripped through the cracks of the coliseum floorand combinedwith dust loosened bythousands of stomping feet to endanger the collections and permanently damage several items.” After budget cuts, the museum was closed, and Bruce vanished into obscurity.But at long last,nowyou can find him at the entrance to the new Corvallis Museum on Southwest Second Street. Check bentoncountymuseums.org/visit for details about how to pay a visit. —SCHOLLE MCFARLAND Nº OSU SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND ARCHIVES; 1996 OREGON STATE YEARBOOK; HANNAH O’LEARY 1952 The first Benny to rally a game day crowd made his debut Sept. 18, 1952. The late Ken Austin, ’53, put together a costume of old shag carpet and was known for antics including climbing goal posts. As he explained to the Oregon Staterin 2004, “I was told to ‘liven things up.’ I immediately came back with ‘... well, what if I act like a rodeo clown?’” 1964 Though the costume changed — with upgrades by members of the Home Ec Club — the grin remained the same from 1959 to 1969. Benny is seen here in a photo from the 1964 yearbook, posing with Rally Squad members Sandy Anderson (left) and Sue Wiesner Koffel, ’66. 1996 From 1984 to 1998, a fuzzier Benny was joined by a companion, Bernice. For Homecoming, Bernice donned a wedding dress and Benny sported a tux. Benny and Bernice were the second male and female mascot duo in NCAA history (after North Carolina State’s Mr. and Mrs. Wuf). —SCHOLLE MCFARLAND →Find this lovable mug in the Corvallis Museum.

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