Published in November 2023, the winter issue of the Oregon State University (OSU) alumni magazine went to press when minds and hearts were very much stuck on football and the fate of OSU athletics amid the dramatic collapse of the Pac-12 conference. We found ourselves balancing two scenarios: saying too much and having it fall flat if conference news broke as the magazine was coming out, versus saying too little and getting clobbered by the elephant in the room. In his column, our publisher, John Valva, leaned into the one undeniable and timeless truth, the Beaver spirit that unites us. While taking some lighthearted jabs at our departing rivals (“We don’t need a different uniform each week to prove our value”), John showed reverence for the “Conference of Champions” that has rallied his own family for years. The combination of nostalgia and school pride resonated deeply with our readers. As one OSU parent said (herself not even an OSU alumna), “John Valva’s heartfelt article…put into words exactly what I was feeling!”
From the Judges
A very well-written, nostalgic piece for its target audience, bringing together the OSU community. Additionally, the author did a good job of writing about a situation that was still unfolding and made it relatable to a graduate of any institution.
