FIRST - Woman to Graduate from Oregon State University - Corvallis, OR
N 44° 33.920 W 123° 16.668
10T E 477939 N 4934703
This bronze statue depicts Alice E. Biddle who was the first woman to graduate from what is now Oregon State University in 1870.
Waymark Code: WMFJ5K
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 10/24/2012
Views: 3
Visitors to the Oregon State University campus can visit a bronze statue of Alice E. Biddle, the first woman to graduate from what is now Oregon State University in 1870. The statue was created by artist Kirk St. Maur in 1983. This statue is also part of the Smithsonian Art Inventory and the following excerpt is from their
website:
"Figurative sculpture representing Alice Biddle, the first woman to graduate from Oregon State University. The figure is standing and her head is turned to the proper right. In her proper right hand, she holds a piece of rolled-up paper depicted in bronze. Both arms are slightly held out from her sides."
There is a small metal plaque near the statue that says the following:
Kirk St. Maur 1983
THE QUEST bronze
The Quest symbolizes ALICE E. RIDDLE, who in 1870 became the first woman to graduate from what is now Oregon State University. It reflects the energy, dedication and strength of all students in the pursuit of learning.
This work made possible
by Oregon's Art in Public Places Program
As an alum of OSU, I passed by this statue dozens of times and never gave Alice a second's thought... until now. 20 years later, I find myself in a whole new appreciation of all things cultural, artistic and historical. the Alice Biddle statue embodies all of these things.
I found a web pagee that highlights Alice Biddle's accomplishments from the University of Oregon's Digital Archives and states the following:
Alice Eudorah Biddle (Mooreland), born in Corvallis, Oregon in 1854, was the first woman graduate of Oregon State University, completing her four-year curriculum and degree in just over three years. She was class valedictorian with perfect grades and perfect attendance. She graduated at age 16 and was known as Corvallis' most intelligent young woman. She was the daughter of one of Benton County's wealthiest families and married college professor William Walter Moreland. In the mid-1870's she and her husband moved to Oregon City and later to California, where Mr. Moreland became a prominent attorney. In 1875(sic), Alice Biddle organized the first alumni reunion in OSU school history. Her statue sits today just to the east of the Memorial Union and is a favorite meeting and resting spot for students and faculty. (selected information contained in OAC Collection materials)
*NOTE* The UO Digital Archives web page also contains PDF documents of artist Kirk St. Maur's resume of accomplishments.
Visit Instructions:As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.