During Homecoming weekend earlier this month, Oregon State University’s beloved mascot unveiled a life-size Benny Beaver bronze sculpture and bench outside the CH2M HILL Alumni Center, a philanthropic gift from two alumni that’s meant to embody school spirit.
“The crowd’s reaction at the moment, and subsequently the nonstop line of photo-seeking Benny fans, told the full story,” said John Valva, executive director of the Oregon State University Alumni Association and vice president for alumni engagement at the OSU Foundation. “We love Benny Beaver as the spirit and soul of fandom.”
The OSU Alumni Association, part of the OSU Foundation, built the unveiling into a major event during Homecoming 2025, teasing a secret “Benny’s Birthday Surprise” in promotional materials sent to fans in the weeks leading up to the Oct. 11 football game. That day, the OSU Marching Band, Benny and Berniece helped hype up the hundreds of fans and friends who gathered in front of the alumni center before the reveal.
The gift came from Holly and Todd McKinney, both 1991 graduates of Oregon State. The idea first came up a couple years ago when Valva spoke to an alumni association board of directors meeting about a similar sculpture he’d seen at the University of Utah, depicting their red-tailed hawk mascot, Swoop. He told them about seeing lots of students, families and alumni taking photos with the bench.
“During the break, Holly McKinney rushed up to me, saying ‘WE NEED THAT BENCH!’” Valva recalled. “It was obvious that she envisioned it as a destination for nostalgia and community. I am grateful to Holly and Todd for creating this unique tribute to OSU.”
With the McKinneys’ financial donation, the alumni association commissioned the Benny sculpture from artist Virgil Oertle at Mascot Benches, who has crafted similar artworks for universities nationwide, including the Swoop bench in Utah.
Holly, Todd, Benny and Bernice officially unveiled the sculpture — the first Benny statue on campus — at 11:11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11.
The first Benny Beaver mascot was created and worn in 1952 by OSU alumnus and benefactor Ken Austin, ’53, and has been worn by countless alumni ever since.
“Going forward, we envision the Benny Bench being a destination for generations of alumni, students, graduates and families for photographic memories of their times and visits to Oregon State,” Valva said.
Valva and the McKinneys also collaborated with OSU Athletics, OSU Trademarks and Licensing and OSU Facilities Services to facilitate approval and logistics for the bench to be installed. It is located at the northwest entrance to the alumni center on SW 26th Street across from Reser Stadium.
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