Oregon State Universities Bell Tower

Here, we have the bell tower that stands near the library. This bell tower is heard frequently by students and faculty from everywhere on campus. The bells chime at every hour and half hour. There is a clock on this bell tower that faces the library and the quad nearby.

The 5 bronze bells in the tower were brought from the Netherlands. These bells range in weight from 273-1,919 pounds and ring at five different tones. When the statue arrived it was lifted in on two cranes. The entire structure itself, weighs about 40,000 pounds and is valued at $500,000.

The bell tower was dedicated to H. Dean Pape. Pape was a successful businessman and graduated in 1943 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He founded and chaired Pape Group Inc., and also served as a chairman for the board of Mt. Bachelor. As for Oregon State University, he became a big part of the board of trustees of the OSU Foundations and was the president of the group from 1983-1985. He also received the Volunteer of the Year award from Oregon State University.

H. Dean Pape was a well-known man on campus and in the community. He was known for his hard work and dedication. It was his brother Justin Pape's idea to create the bell tower to stand for H. Dean Pape. H. Dean Pape passed away in 1996.

Art Sculpture of Alice E. Biddle

Another important piece of Art with an intriguing story that goes unnoticed on Oregon State Universities Campus would be the sculpture of Alice E. Biddle near Strand Agricultural Building.

This piece of art is surrounded by beautiful flowers and stone steps. Alice E. Biddle is important to Oregon State University as she is the first woman to ever graduate from Oregon State in 1870. Alice was only 16 at the time of her graduation. She was 1 of 3 in her graduating class. Previously, this statue was named "The Quest" and was sculpted by Kirk St. Maur. The sculpture was said to collect the energy, dedication, and strength of all students in the pursuit of learning, which described that years graduating class.

Biddle graduated with a degree in Liberal Arts, as she was a very talented musician. She married to William W. Moreland, who also has a building named after him on the universities campus as well. 

Now, the sculpture is said to represent intellectual growth on Oregon State Universities campus. 

Art Sculpture of Joy Selig

Oregon State University is known for having such a beautiful campus. Part of the beauty is the art that can be found on campus. Some of this art goes overlooked and is not recognized. Most of these art pieces have such a unique story behind them that is worth learning about. One of these pieces would be the sculpture of Joy Selig.

Joy Selig had a lasting impression on Oregon States Gymnastics team, some would even call her a legend. Seling came from California to Oregon Sate University and joined the gymnastics team in 1987. She was granted a gymnastics scholarship that helped her pay for her out of state tuition. During her four years as a gymnast she had multiple accomplishments. She is a three-time national champion and seven time first team All-American. During her senior year she was given the American Award as the country's top gymnast. Not only was she given this award but she also was given NCAA Woman of the Year for Oregon. Selig obtained the opportunity to participate in the World University Games alongside two of her other Oregon State teammates.

After college she spent 3 years as an assistant gymnastics coach at University of Washington. Later, she went to coach at University of Denver. 

In 1994, Oregon State created this sculpture of Joy Selig. This sculpture is located right in front of Gladys Valley Gymnastics Center. It was her former coach, Jim Turpin who chose Joy Selig to be the person in the sculpture. The sculpture is of Selig doing one of her signature moves on the balance beam. The sculpture reads: "Joy distinguished herself beyond call by demonstrating kindness of heart and achieving excellence in gymnastics and academics. There time NCAA National Champion. Seven Time All-American." 

Since being a retired gymnast, Pac 10 Women's All Decade Team. In 1997 she was also conducted into Oregon State's Sports Hall of Fame. Finally, in 2010 she was conducted into Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.