Theme: Athletics
Stacy Allison Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Janice Dilg.
July 21, 2014
Stacy Allison (b. 1958) grew up on a farm near Woodburn, Oregon before attending OSU
as an undergraduate majoring in Nutrition. While at Oregon State, Allison discovered
a passion for mountain climbing that ultimately led to her dropping out of school
in favor of pursuing the summits of many of the world's highest peaks. In September
1988, Allison made history when she became the first U.S. woman to reach the summit
of Mount Everest. In addition to her noteworthy career as a mountaineer, Allison
has also developed successful businesses as a motivational speaker and a general contractor.
Her interview focuses on her early climbing years in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest,
her two expeditions to Mount Everest, the advancement of women in mountaineering from
the 1980s to present day, and her career outside of mountain climbing.
Ken Austin Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Mike Dicianna and Chris Petersen.
March 24, 2015
Ken Austin (b. 1931) attended Oregon State College from 1949-1953, graduating with
a degree in Industrial Engineering. While at OSC, Austin became the first Benny Beaver
mascot, wearing a costume of his own design and construction, and entertaining fans
with antics that often incorporated a starter's pistol that he wore on his hip. Following
the completion of his studies and a stint in the Air Force, Austin worked eight jobs
in eight years before launching his own business, Austin Dental Equipment Company,
or A-dec. Mechanically inclined and a habitual tinkerer, Austin's innovations revolutionized
the practice of dentistry and fueled dizzying growth for A-dec. Later on, Ken and
his wife Joan became heavily involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors, generously
supporting several programs at OSU and providing the lead gift for a new home for
the College of Business, Austin Hall. Austin's interview focuses on his life-long
interest in machinery, his rich undergraduate experience at OSC, the creation and
growth of A-dec, and his family's experiences in philanthropy.
Terry Baker Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Mike Dicianna and Chris Petersen.
June 25, 2014
Terry Baker (b. 1941) is among the most accomplished and celebrated athletes in Oregon
State history. Winner of the 1962 Heisman Trophy as the nation's most outstanding
college football player, Baker's Oregon State basketball team also reached the Final
Four of the 1963 NCAA tournament. That same year, Baker was named "Sportsman of the
Year" by Sports Illustrated magazine. Baker graduated from OSU in 1963 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Following a brief stint in professional football, Baker earned a law degree and enjoyed
a successful career practicing in the Portland area. Baker's interview focuses primarily
on his Oregon State memories, including his remarkable successes in 1962-1963 and
the tremendous attention that they garnered.
Baseball National Champions, Back-to-Back
Four interviews conducted by Greg Garcia, Chris Petersen, and Mike Dicianna.
October 2015 - July 2016
From 2005 to 2007, the Oregon State University baseball program enjoyed a sustained
run of success that is without parallel in university history. Over the course of
three seasons, the Beavers participated in the College World Series three times, winning
back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007. In the process, OSU also achieved
multiple milestones that are unequalled in the history of college baseball: in 2006,
the Beavers won six consecutive elimination games to claim the national championship,
and in 2007 they won four tournament games by six runs or more. This unprecedented
era of championship baseball is the primary subject of a collection of interviews
conducted with four individuals: players Kevin Gunderson and Chris Kunda; broadcaster
Mike Parker; and manager Pat Casey.
Yvenson Bernard Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
September 12, 2014
Yvenson Bernard (b. 1984) attended OSU from 2003-2007, majoring in Merchandising Management
and starting for three years at running back for the football team. Known for his
versatility and toughness as a football player, Bernard finished his career second
on the school's list for career yards rushing and third in career touchdowns. The
son of Haitian immigrants, Bernard also made news in 2010 by organizing a major relief
effort in response to the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12th of that
year. His interview focuses on his upbringing in Florida, his experiences as a student
athlete at OSU, his outreach work in Haiti, and the importance that family has played
throughout his life.
Larry Bielenberg Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Mike Dicianna.
March 21, 2016
Larry Bielenberg (b. 1955) was a student-athlete on the OSU wrestling team who competed
from 1974-1977. One of the most highly decorated wrestlers in Oregon State history,
Bielenberg earned All American honors three times and won the NCAA championship as
a heavyweight in 1975. Still the second-winningest wrestler in school history, Bielenberg
was inducted into the OSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994 and was named to the Pac-12
All Century Team in 2016. Graduating in 1978 with a degree in Health and Human Performance,
Bielenberg pursued a career in the pharmaceuticals industry as a technician and manager.
In a lengthy and wide-ranging interview, Bielenberg reflects on his hardscrabble upbringing
as one of ten children; the evolution of his wrestling career, both collegiately and
on the international level; the personality and influence of legendary OSU wrestling
coach Dale Thomas; and Bielenberg's career and family life in the years after wrestling.
Knute Buehler Oral History Interviews
Two life history interviews conducted by Janice Dilg.
August 2014 - August 2015
Knute Buehler (b. 1964), a native of Roseburg, Oregon, attended Oregon State University
from 1982 to 1986, where he played on the baseball team and graduated with a B.S.
in Microbiology. Following the completion of his studies at OSU, Buehler was selected
as a Rhodes Scholar, the first in OSU history. He completed his Oxford M.A. in Politics
and Economics and went on to earn to earn an M.D. from Johns Hopkins University. Buehler
now practices as an orthopedic surgeon in Bend, Oregon, and is active in both statewide
and national politics. Over two interviews, Buehler discusses on his life at OSU,
his experiences at Oxford, his medical training and career, and his interest in politics.
John Byrne Oral History Interviews
Four life history interviews conducted by Chris Petersen.
January - February 2014
John Byrne (b. 1928) has made an indelible impact on Oregon State University through
an association that has spanned over five decades. A trained geologist, Byrne arrived
in Corvallis in 1960 as one of Oregon State College's first faculty members in Oceanography.
Over time, Byrne assumed chairmanship of the Oceanography Department and later became
Dean of OSU's newly formed School of Oceanography. In 1976 Byrne moved into upper
administration, first as Dean of Research and later as Vice President for Research
and Graduate Studies. Following a three-year stint in Washington, D.C., where he
served as head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Byrne returned
to Corvallis as the twelfth President in OSU history. Byrne's presidency lasted from
1984-1995, a time period during which he did much to modernize university operations
amidst a budget crisis caused by significant reductions in state funding for higher
education. The Byrne oral history interviews trace the arc of his entire life, from
his childhood on Long Island to his graduate studies at USC, and on to his tenures
at Oregon State and with NOAA.
Ralph Coleman, Jr. Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
July 8, 2014
Ralph Coleman, Jr. (b. 1931) is a 1954 OSC graduate in Business Administration. A
Corvallis native, Coleman played baseball for his father, Ralph Sr., during his Oregon
State years. Ralph Coleman, himself a graduate of Oregon Agricultural College, led
Beaver baseball for parts of five decades, beginning in the mid-1920s and lasting
until his retirement in 1966. Coleman was also an early track coach and director
of the school's intramural sports program. Ralph Coleman, Jr.'s interview focuses
on memories of his father, growing up in Corvallis in the 1930s and 1940s, and the
early years of Oregon State baseball.
Ted Cox Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton.
June 7, 2016
Ted Cox (b. 1947) is the owner and founder of the Old World Deli, a Corvallis institution
that has been located in the south end of the city's downtown district since 1977.
In addition, Cox is a former Peace Corps volunteer who spent two years teaching in
Sierra Leone and another two years as the national track and field coach in present-day
Belize. He is likewise an OSU alum, having completed his master's degree in Physical
Education in 1975, a time period during which he also served as the first women's
volleyball coach at Oregon State during the Title IX era. Through his work at the
Old World Deli, Cox became a pioneering figure in the local homebrewing scene, selling
equipment, providing instruction, and building community. His interview traces his
upbringing in California and his experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer; his experiences
as a student and coach at OSU; the early years of the Old World Deli and homebrewing
in Corvallis; and the history of brewing in the city, dating back to the mid-1800s.
Don Essig Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Mike Dicianna.
May 19, 2014
Don Essig (b. 1938) attended Oregon State College from 1956-1960, graduating with
a degree in Elementary Education. Essig went on to a career as a public school teacher
and administrator, primarily in the Eugene school system, that lasted for three decades.
Since 1967, Essig has also served as the public address announcer for University of
Oregon football and men's basketball games. His interview focuses on his undergraduate
experience at OSC, his career in education, his experiences as the PA voice of the
Ducks, and his unique perspective on the storied athletics rivalry between OSU and
UO.
Steve Fenk Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
August 12, 2014
Steve Fenk (b. 1963) is an OSU Liberal Studies graduate from the class of 1987. Fenk
was heavily involved with the OSU Athletic Department as an undergraduate, a time
period during which he served as a color commentator working alongside radio "Voice
of the Beavers" Darrell Aune during Beaver basketball games. As a student, Fenk also
helped to organize a number of Oregon State wrestling meets. In 1990 Fenk accepted
a position with his alma mater as Assistant Sports Information Director. Since 2011
he has served as Associate Director of Athletic Communications. His interview focuses
on his Oregon State undergraduate experience as well as his memories of key people
and events in the modern history of OSU athletics.
Legends of OSU Gymnastics
Three life history interviews with Mary (Ayotte) Law and Joy (Selig) Petersen, conducted
by Janice Dilg.
October 2014
Gymnastics national champions Mary (Ayotte) Law and Joy (Selig) Petersen are two of
Oregon State University's most accomplished athletes. An Education major who attended
OSU from 1978-1982, Law won the 1982 national title in the floor exercise and finished
third in the all-around, still the highest all-around placing in school history.
A seven-time first team All-American, Petersen won two national championships in the
beam competition and another in the floor exercise. She graduated from OSU with a
degree in Psychology in 1991. Over the course of three interviews, Law and Petersen
reflect on their experiences as student athletes at OSU, sharing their memories of
going to school while training and competing at the highest levels of collegiate athletics.
Erin Haynes Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Mike Dicianna.
July 25, 2014
Erin Haynes (b. 1950) attended OSU from 1968-1972, during which time he both played
on and helped to coach the school's freshman football team, and also served as Senior
Class President. Following graduation, Haynes built a long career at Oregon State,
working in the Department of Admissions for eight years, the OSU Foundation for twenty-two
years, and the Alumni Association for two more. Haynes has also served as an advisor
to the OSU chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity for more than four decades. His interview
focuses on fraternity culture at Oregon State, campus life in the late 1960s and early
1970s, and Beaver lore throughout its history, including several stories of notable
Oregon Staters from the past.
Aki Hill Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
April 14, 2015
Aki Hill (b. 1940) is the winningest women's basketball coach in OSU history, compiling
a career record of 274-206. A native of Japan who counted legendary UCLA coach John
Wooden as among her mentors, Hill took over the Oregon State program during its third
year in existence and spent the next seventeen years as head coach. During that timespan,
OSU competed in the post-season eight times and won the National Women's Invitational
Tournament on two occasions. In her interview, Hill details her introduction to and
early love for basketball, the important role that John Wooden played in her advancement
as a coach, and the years that she spent building the women's basketball program at
OSU.
Bob and Kaety Jacobson Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Mike Dicianna.
January 20, 2015
Bob Jacobson (b. 1939) attended Oregon State as an undergraduate and member of the
Beaver basketball team, graduating with a degree in Business and Technology in 1963.
Three years later, he became the country's first Marine Extension Agent, working with
coastal fishermen and seafood processors, as well as state-wide policymakers, for
nearly three decades. His daughter Kaety Jacobson (b. 1981) is a 2003 OSU graduate
in Natural Resources. In 2005, she too began a career as a Marine Extension Agent,
operating out of her hometown of Newport. In their interview, the Jacobsons reflect
on their closely connected experiences as OSU students and Marine Extension Agents
on Oregon's coast, commenting on the similarities and differences that each has observed
over the decades.
Alyssa Martin Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
May 13, 2014
At the time of her interview, Alyssa Martin (class of 2015) was an OSU student athlete
who had spent four years on the women's basketball team while majoring in Civil Engineering.
The daughter of former Beaver basketball player Earl Martin, Alyssa concluded her
OSU playing days with 985 career points and earned Pac-12 All-Academic accolades three
years in a row. Her interview provides an insightful glimpse into the busy world
of the student athlete, juggling school, sports, travel and social life.
Sylvia Moore Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Janice Dilg.
March 31, 2015
Sylvia Moore (b. 1942) played a vital role in advancing women's athletics over a thirty-three
year career as a coach, official, instructor and administrator at OSU. Moore, who
at various points coached both the women's basketball and gymnastics teams, also served
as Director of Women's Athletics on two different occasions. She is likewise the
first woman to have worked as Athletic Director for the entire university, having
held that post as an interim appointment in 1985. Moore also volunteered as an unpaid
official for five different sports during her OSU career. Her interview focuses on
the early years of women's athletics at Oregon State, the implementation and impact
of Title IX, and Moore's activities both within the Athletic Department and in service
to other areas of the university.
Michael Oriard Oral History Interviews
Two life history interviews conducted by Chris Petersen.
March 2015
Michael Oriard (b. 1948) is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of American Literature
and Culture who worked at OSU from 1976 to his retirement in 2013. Oriard is also
a former professional football player who, after receiving All American honors at
the University of Notre Dame, spent four seasons in the National Football League as
an offensive lineman with the Kansas City Chiefs. As an academic, Oriard's primary
focus has been the cultural history of football, and he is widely recognized as an
expert on the United States' most popular sport. In two interviews, Oriard discusses
his life as a student athlete and professional football player, his growth and productivity
as a scholar, and the fragile status and uncertain future of American football.
Bud Ossey Oral History Interviews
Two life history interviews conducted by Mike Dicianna.
October - November 2014
Bud Ossey (b. 1919) is the son of Russian immigrants whose father enrolled in the
Engineering program at Oregon Agricultural College shortly after arriving in the United
States in 1923. Ossey grew up attending Oregon State sporting events at Bell Field
and the Men's Gymnasium, and notably sat on the visiting bench as a spectator during
the famous OSC vs. USC "Iron Men" game in 1933. A 1943 OSC graduate in Civil Engineering,
Ossey led Combat Engineering units during World War II. Following the war, he spent
thirty-six years working as an engineer, primarily with the Bonneville Power Administration,
and specializing in the hydroelectric design of power houses across the Northwest.
Ossey is also a charter member of the Beaver Club and has been actively involved with
many other groups that have worked to advance the mission of Oregon State University.
Over two interviews, Ossey reflects on his early memories of campus life, his close
involvement with Beaver athletics, his service during wartime, and his career as a
BPA engineer.
Doug Oxsen Oral History Interviews
Two life history interviews conducted by Mike Dicianna.
July - December 2015
Doug Oxsen (b. 1952) played for Ralph Miller's OSU basketball squads in the early
1970s, graduating in 1975 with a degree in Business. After a period where he continued
to play on a semi-professional basis, Oxsen settled into a private sector career in
the health industry. In 2002, Oxsen returned to his alma mater when he accepted a
position as Director of Development in Athletics with the OSU Foundation. In this
capacity, he has played a lead role in raising funds to support the expansion and
renovation of Reser Stadium, the construction of the Basketball Practice Facility,
and the building of the Whyte Track and Field Complex, among other initiatives. Over
two interviews, Oxsen shares his memories of playing basketball for Ralph Miller,
defeating mighty UCLA, and helping to modernize OSU's athletics facilities as a fundraiser
with the OSU Foundation.
Ed Ray Oral History Interviews
Four life history interviews conducted by Chris Petersen.
June - August 2015
Ed Ray (b. 1944), the fourteenth President of Oregon State University, has overseen
both historic growth on campus and a major recalibration of university ambitions.
Trained as an economist, Ray spent thirty-three years at Ohio State University, where
he served as chair of the Economics department before moving into central administration,
first as Chief Information Officer and later as Provost. Ray came to OSU in 2003
and set in motion a strategic planning process that realigned university structures
and goals. He also launched OSU's first comprehensive capital campaign, The Campaign
for OSU, which raised $1.142 billion and resulted in a busy period of campus construction
as well as the endowment of seventy-nine faculty positions and the creation of over
600 scholarship and fellowship funds. Over four interviews, Ray reflects on his upbringing
and education; discusses his roots as a scholar and an administrator; and shares his
perspective on a wide array of initiatives that have moved forward during his tenure
as OSU President.
Pat Reser Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
April 24, 2015
Pat Reser (b. 1938) and her family have made a major impact on OSU as donors, leaders
and high profile advocates for a variety of university initiatives. Pat and her husband
Al both graduated from Oregon State College in 1960, she in Elementary Education and
he in Business Administration. A public school teacher and mother of five children,
Pat organized Reser family life while her husband worked long hours building Reser's
Fine Foods from a family business to an international corporation employing more than
3,000 people. The Reser family later played a significant role in advancing multiple
goals important to OSU, including the renovation and expansion of the school's football
stadium, which was renamed Reser Stadium in 1999 in honor of a major gift made by
the family. The Resers later provided lead gifts for two signature projects of the
Campaign for OSU - the Linus Pauling Science Center and Austin Hall. Pat Reser served
as a co-chair of the school's capital campaign, and later was elected as the first
chair of the OSU Board of Trustees. Reser's interview focuses on her life and partnership
with her husband Al, her professional work in education and her volunteer work in
Beaverton and Corvallis, and her insight into the Reser family's key involvement with
development at OSU.
Paul Risser Oral History Interviews
Two life history interviews conducted by Janice Dilg.
March 24 - 25, 2014
Paul Risser (1939-2014), an internationally renowned botanist, served as President
of Oregon State University from 1996-2002. While President, Risser did much to increase
enrollments and expand the Corvallis campus, while also establishing a branch campus
in Bend, Oregon and boosting the reach of OSU's online course offerings. His interviews
discuss the formation and implementation of his presidential agenda including important
changes in the Colleges of Business and Engineering, and a renewed emphasis on athletics.
He also reflects upon numerous capital projects that came to fruition during his time
in Corvallis as well as the establishment of the Bend campus, the creation of the
University Honors College, and the arrival of the Linus Pauling Institute.
Jim Rudd Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
August 19, 2015
Jim Rudd (b. 1948) was an employee of the OSU Athletic Department from 1974-1982,
focusing on sales and marketing, and serving as an important liaison between the department,
the OSU Foundation, and the President's Office. Since departing from OSU, Rudd has
worked in Portland at Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, where he is principal and
CEO. Throughout this time, Rudd has maintained close ties to the OSU Foundation, serving
as a trustee and, from 2006-2014, as co-chair of the steering committee for the Campaign
for OSU. His interview focuses on his upbringing and the importance that athletics
played in his youth; memories of his work and colleagues while a member of the Athletic
Department; his many years of service to the OSU Foundation; and his memories of the
OSU capital campaign as it played out.
Dale Story Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
January 9, 2014
Dale Story (b. 1942) overcame polio as a child and developed into an elite distance
runner, breaking the national high school record for the one-mile run in 1959. Story
attended Oregon State as an undergraduate from 1961-1965. During that time, he set
numerous school records as a cross country and track athlete, often training and competing
barefoot. Perhaps the pinnacle of Story's collegiate career came in 1961 when he won
the NCAA cross country championship, leading OSC to the team title at that same event.
The Story oral history interview focuses on his upbringing in California, his athletic
achievements and extracurricular interests at Oregon State, and his lifelong passion
for the outdoors.
Warner Strausbaugh Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
May 12, 2014
Warner Strausbaugh (class of 2014) served as Editor-in-Chief of the OSU Daily Barometer student newspaper for the 2013-2014 academic year. A Political Science major, Strausbaugh
spent four years on the Barometer staff and worked there in a number of capacities, including stints as a reporter
for multiple OSU sports beats as well as Sports Editor, Managing Editor and, finally,
Editor-in-Chief. His interview sheds light on the culture of the Barometer newsroom and the life of a student journalist. He also shares his opinions on student
attitudes and OSU's campus culture as it stood in 2014.
Paul Valenti Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen and Dominic Cusimano.
February 24, 2014
Paul Valenti (1920-2014) was integrally connected to Oregon State University for more
that seventy years, beginning with his arrival on the Oregon State College campus
as a student athlete in 1938. A member of the Beaver basketball squad during his
undergraduate years, Valenti later served as freshman baseball coach, freshman basketball
coach, head basketball coach and head tennis coach, spanning a time period from 1946-1970.
He continued on as Assistant Athletic Director until retiring in 1982, and remained
an enthusiastic ambassador for OSU until his death in 2014. His interview covers
his upbringing in California, his school and coaching experiences at OSU, and his
recollections of many people that he met along the way.
Marianne Vydra Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Janice Dilg.
May 27, 2015
Marianne Vydra (b. 1963) is the highest-ranking female administrator in the OSU Athletic
Department. A member of the Athletic Department staff since 1992, Vydra initially
came to Corvallis to work as an academic counselor. In 1996 she was promoted to Associate
Athletic Director for Academic and Student Services, and in 1998 she became the Athletic
Department's Senior Women's Administrator. In this capacity, Vydra has been central
to a number of initiatives, playing a key role in the forward advancement of women's
sports at the university and helping to found the popular Beavers Without Borders
international service program. In her interview, Vydra discusses her path through
athletics administration, the great strides made by the Athletic Department during
her years at OSU, and the legacy of Title IX in propelling women's intercollegiate
athletics programs across the country.
Charlie White Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Dwaine Plaza and Natalia Fernández.
May 18, 2011
Charlie White (b. 1938) was the first African American recruited to play basketball
on scholarship at OSU, and only the second African American student-athlete in the
history of the program. White transferred to OSU after a three-year stint in the military
and two years at a California junior college. A dynamic guard/forward on the court,
White captained the Beavers during his senior year, leading to the 1965-66 team to
the Pacific-8 Conference championship and a first-round win over the University of
Houston in the NCAA tournament. A member of the Oregon State Sports Hall of Fame,
White was inducted into the Pac-10 Basketball Hall of Honor in 2011. His interview
focuses primarily on his memories of campus and community life as a trailblazing African
American student-athlete in the mid-1960s.