A bronze statue that likely functioned as an incense burner, similar in appearance to Pacific University's qilin "Boxer" mascot. This statue appears to be a 19th or 20th century Chinese (or possibly Japanese?) work depicting an unknown mythological creature, possibly a "Denglong." Its features include: cone-shaped ears; fish-like scales on its back, chest and legs; clawed feet; a mane and tail; protruding black eyes on short stalks; a single horn with two branches on its forehead; a dog-like snout; a fish-like or frog-like mouth; and a dragon-like crest of scales running down its backbone. It is similar to a Qilin, except for the fact that its feet have claws rather than hooves, and it has no whiskers. The statue's head was connected to the body with a hinge (now broken), inside of which incense could be placed, so that the smoke would come out of its nose and mouth. The tail is removable, probably so that ash could be removed. One ear has become loose but still attaches to the body. The statue measures 8.5" high, 4" wide and 10" long.
The statue resembles the bronze qilin incense burner nicknamed "Boxer," which later became Pacific University's official mascot. In the 1950s, the Boxer statue was circulating among Pacific U. students, who would periodically bring out the statue for a brawl-like contest over its possession. This similar bronze statue was collected by Roger K. Smith (Pacific University Class of 1953), probably in October 1951. The Smith Family kept this statue for 71 years, alongside a letter that Roger sent to his parents on Oct. 22, 1951, which stated: "When the package [containing the statue] comes, take good care of the contents. Even Myron [Roger's brother, another Pacific U. student] doesn't know that I came up with the thing. The poor boy sure took a beating. Came up in four parts." The statue was donated to Pacific University by the Smith Family in November, 2022. The copy of the letter that accompanied the statue is kept in the Archives subject files. For other materials related to the Smith Family, see the LeRoy and Reatha Smith Papers (Pacific University Archives, MS.48).
An illustration of Pacific University's "Boxer" mascot, adapted from the 1928-1929 Pacific University yearbook. See image PUA_MS95_10 for the original page from the yearbook.
A photograph of a group of Pacific University students gathered in the grass around the Boxer mascot. Boxer is missing the tail. The caption with the photograph identifies the students as Julian Fenenga, Orlando Romig, Verle Stanley, Greta McIntyre, Byron Goodman and Harold Reed The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of a group of Pacific University students gathered around the Boxer mascot. Boxer is missing the tail. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of a Pacific University student holding the Boxer mascot. Boxer is missing the tail. The caption with the photograph identifies the student as Greta McIntyre Sheeley. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of a Pacific University student holding the Boxer mascot. The student is wearing his navy uniform. The caption with the photograph identifies the student as Samuel 'Hap' Morgan. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of two Pacific University students dressed in funny hats. The caption with the photograph identifies the students as Verle Stanley and Thomas Fowler. According to the caption, the pair were in possession of the Boxer mascot and his tail during World War I. Stanley had his head and body, when he was called-up to fight during World War I. He hid Boxer in a flour bin at Mrs. Brown's house on the Pacific University campus. Fowler had Boxer's tail. He took the tail with him when he was called-up. The two pieces were reunited when Stanley and Fowler returned to Pacific University after the war ended in November, 1918. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of a Pacific University student with the Boxer mascot. The Boxer is missing the tail. The caption with the photograph identifies the student as Greta McIntyre Sheeley. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of three Pacific University students holding the captured Boxer mascot. The caption with the photograph indicates that the tail of Boxer was newly reunited with the body. The tail had traveled with Pacific University student, Thomas Fowler '21, during World War I. The caption with the photograph identifies the students as Harry Kunkel, Henry Fiske and John Garrigus. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of two Pacific University students holding the Boxer mascot. The caption with the photograph indicates that the tail of Boxer was newly reunited with the body. The tail had traveled with Pacific University student, Thomas Fowler '21, during World War I. The caption identifies the students as Glenn 'Red' Sheeley and Leslie 'Jazz' Hoar. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of four Pacific University freshmen holding the Boxer mascot. The caption with the photograph indicates that the tail of Boxer was newly reunited with the body. The tail had traveled with Pacific University student, Tom Fowler, during World War I. After the freshman class captured Boxer, Thomas Fowler '21, gave them the tail. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of four Pacific University freshmen posing around the Boxer mascot. The caption with the photo indicates that these freshmen had captured Boxer. The caption also indicates that Thomas Fowler '21 had taken the tail of Boxer with him when he was called up during World War I. After he had returned to Pacific University, he gave the tail to the freshman class. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of two Pacific University students holding the Boxer mascot. The caption with the photograph identifies the students as Glenn 'Red' Sheeley and Leslie 'Jazz' Hoar. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of three Pacific University students holding the Boxer mascot. The caption with the photograph identifies the students as Harry Kunkel, Henry Fiske and John Garrigus. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of four Pacific University students holding the Boxer mascot. The caption with the photograph identifies the students as Glenn Sheeley, Leslie Hoar, Harry Kunkel and John Garrigus. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of four Pacific University students posed around the Boxer mascot. The caption with the photograph indicates that the Boxer had been captured by these students. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of four Pacific University students crouched around the Boxer mascot that is sitting on top of a suitcase. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This picture appears in an album that was compiled by Greta McIntyre Sheeley, a 1920 Pacific University graduate.
A newspaper article about the original "Boxer" statue, which would later become the mascot of Pacific University. Notably, the article says that Boxer had not been "exhibited in public" in the 11 years since 1900. The article provides some details on the history of Boxer, but includes some inaccurate facts. For example: it states that Boxer was first stolen in 1900, but in fact it was stolen in late 1899. This article appears in a scrapbook album compiled by Frances B. Clapp, a 1908 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of a group of students gathered around the Boxer mascot. Boxer is sitting on the Senior Blanket. This could possibly be during the Senior Breakfast held at the faculty cabin in October, 1928. The blanket would be stolen in 1929 at a Letterman's Dance. It would be returned in May of 1930. This photograph appears in an album that was compiled by Edith Hansen McGill, a 1930 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of two male Pacific University students holding the Boxer mascot. They are wearing large hats. A person in the background is holding the Senior Blanket. This could possibly be at the Senior Breakfast in October, 1928. Held at the faculty cabin. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This photograph appears in an album that was compiled by Edith Hansen McGill, a 1930 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of the Pacific University Boxer mascot sitting on the Senior Blanket. This could possibly be during the Senior Breakfast in October, 1928. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This photograph appears in an album that was compiled by Edith Hansen McGill, a 1930 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of Pacific University students, Edith Hansen McGill and Douglas Dreeszen, with a group of fellow students holding the Boxer mascot. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker. He acquired the Boxer while on a mission trip to China. The Boxer went missing after a Boxer Toss in 1969. This photograph appears in an album that was compiled by Edith Hansen McGill, a 1930 Pacific University graduate.
A photograph of Charles McGill holding Pacific University's Boxer mascot. Charles McGill was in the Pacific University class of 1930; he attended on a scholarship as a freshman, and then transferred to the University of Washington. He later became a doctor and married another Pacific University alum, Edith Hansen. The original Boxer mascot was a gift to the school from a missionary named Reverend J. E. Walker, who acquired Boxer while on a mission trip to China. This photograph appears in an album that was compiled by Edith Hansen McGill, a 1930 Pacific University graduate.
