A photograph of Brighton Chapel in Marsh Hall at Pacific University in Oregon, probably taken between 1898-1903. The chapel was the largest auditorium on campus at the time, and it hosted a variety of religious and non-religious services. A Pacific University banner can be seen on the left wall; a portrait of Pacific University's first graduate, Harvey Scott, is in the center background; and a partial view of the university's library is on the right. In this image, the seating is made up of pews; in other images (perhaps taken at a later date), there are chairs instead. This image was scanned from a photograph album belonging to Mary Bailey Clarke, who was in the Class of 1903.
A photograph taken on November 24, 1899 of the Pacific University Class of 1902 at their first "Annual Banquet," with the original Boxer statue displayed on the table. The statue was a bronze Chinese incense burner in the form of a qilin. In later years, it would be the inspiration for the university's Boxer mascot. The Class of 1902 stole the statue from the university's chapel in Marsh Hall about a month before this photograph was taken. Here, the students are sitting around the table surrounded by symbols of their school spirit and of their pride in their class, including: the Boxer statue, which was then known as "The College Spirit"; a Pacific University '02 banner; a Class of 1903 banner (probably stolen from that Class); an upside-down banner (also probably stolen from the Class of 1903) that reads, "Best wishes for Victory '03, Wilcox and Day will keep the Ball a Going"; and striped canes that symbolized their rivalry with the Class of 1903. This is one of the earliest known photographs of Boxer. This image was scanned from a photograph album belonging to Mary Bailey Clarke, who was in the Class of 1903.
A photograph that was probably taken on November 24, 1899 of the Pacific University Class of 1902 holding the original "Boxer" statue. The statue was a bronze Chinese incense burner in the form of a qilin. In later years, it would be the inspiration for the university's Boxer mascot. The Class of 1902 stole the statue from the university's chapel in Marsh Hall about a month before this photograph was taken. On Nov. 24, 1899 they hosted their first "Annual Banquet," in which they displayed the statue as a trophy. Here, the students appear to be posing in the same location where the banquet was held, showing off Boxer in their arms. The canes that they are holding were symbols of a rivalry they had with the Class of 1903. This is one of the earliest known photographs of Boxer. This image was scanned from a photograph album belonging to Mary Bailey Clarke, who was in the Class of 1903.
A photograph of the original "Boxer" statue circa 1900. The statue was the inspiration for the mascot of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. The statue was a bronze Chinese incense burner in the form of a qilin. In this photograph, which may have been made by the Pacific University Class of 1902, Boxer is seated on a tablecloth and is wearing a ribbon around his neck. The Class of 1902 was the first group of students to possess Boxer, having stolen the statue from Marsh Hall in October 1899. This scan is from the university's 1903 yearbook, in which the photograph was reproduced.
A photograph captioned "Class of men training for Christian work, and three teachers." The image shows the Christian missionary teacher Joseph Elkanah Walker (white hair, center), sitting with two other missionary teachers and five students. The photograph was most likely taken circa 1910-1915 at the Shaowu Theological Training School which was overseen by American Board Station in Shaowu, Fukien province, China.
Joseph Elkanah Walker was a missionary in Shaowu, China from 1872 through the 1930s. He was the son of the early Oregon Territory missionaries Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker. He graduated from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, in 1867.
This image is a scan from the book by Edwin Dwight Kellogg, "Work of the American Board Station in Shaowu, Fukien, China" (Shaowu: 1915). Text appearing near this image in the book notes: "Young men of promise who have had a good Chinese education, but who have not had sufficient training in Western methods to profit by training at Nanking, are invited to study in the Shaowu Theological Training School, where there are courses in the Old and New Testament, Biblical Introduction and History, Church History, Pedagogy, and Pastoral and General Theology. These young men may become evangelists, booksellers, teachers, or assistants in various positions of opportunity." More images and context may be found in the book.
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 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.
