Spring 2026 17 OSU SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND ARCHIVES B R I E F S SCIENCE WITH SPIRIT The name of a new medical imaging breakthrough contains a playful nod to Oregon State’s favorite furry mascot. BVR-19 — a newly patented, manganese-based MRI contrast material — could help patients receive clearer diagnostic images while avoiding the health and environmental concerns tied to commonly used agents. Developed by Oregon State researchers, BVR-19 offers an alternative to conventional MRI contrast agents that rely on rarer, more toxic metals. TOP HONOR FOR MILITARY BEAV Oregon State student Nikki Gold is the first openly LGBTQ+ veteran to be named National Student Veteran of the Year by Student Veterans of America. The honor recognizes leadership, service and advocacy among student veterans nationwide. An undergraduate health student and second-generation Naval veteran, Gold was selected from more than 600,000 candidates across the country. Gold has been involved in peer support and suicide prevention initiatives at OSU and plans to attend law school after graduation. HISTORY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS A new interactive touch table outside the Special Collections and Archives Research Center on the fifth floor of the Valley Library in Corvallis lets visitors explore 150 years of Oregon State University stories in a dynamic, digital format. Drag and open “bubbles” of photos, text and videos that cover historic moments — from early broadcasts and inventions to cultural milestones. The exhibit was first developed for OSU’s 150th anniversary and is now available whenever the library is open. CREDIT TK ORGANIZATIONS 1930, with the stock market crash,” said Vars, “they began raising their own money to give away student scholarships.” This proved to be the beginning of a nearly century-long tradition. The Folk Club has distributed more than $1.5 million in scholarships, with the majority raised through the OSU Folk Club Thrift Shop. Opened in 1949 and staffed entirely with volunteers, the shop now sits at the corner of Second Street and Jackson Avenue. Back in the ballroom, the club’s vice president, Mary Ann Matzke, addressed a special guest. Traditionally, the wife of Oregon State’s president served as honorary president of the Folk Club. “Well, times have changed!” Matzke said. “I’d like to name Dr. Jayathi Murthy our honorary president for this year.” OSU’s 16th president would serve for only a few days, but the symbolic gesture was indicative of the changing times partially responsible for the club’s disbandment. “I think what we saw was a change in our society,” said Ann Kimerling, a member since 1976. “When I arrived here, a lot of women stayed at home, raised families, and if they had careers it was part-time.” According to Kimerling, membership dropped steadily over the next 50 years, from around 450 women in the 1980s to just around 100 in 2025. “Everybody in Folk Club got older,” said Vars. With a lack of new members, the club found itself cycling through the same tight group for leadership positions. At the club’s final meeting, close friendships were evident. “Whenever people sent in their dues, they sent me cards, or little notes, and just little hellos,” said club treasurer Elizabeth Spatafora. “It made me feel so connected to everyone — some of you are my very best friends now.” Though the club may be gone, the thrift shop’s familiar orangeand-black storefront is not. It’s now called the Corvallis Community Thrift Shop, and its volunteer staff — including many former Folk Club members — will continue providing financial support to students and community members. And the history of the Folk Club will live on, thanks to OSU’s Special Collections and Archives and the diligent recordkeeping of members. As Vars said: “I hope someday someone’s going to come and do a project on women’s organizations at the university, and find this wonderful wealth of information.” ← FAR LEFT: Folk Club members tested playground equipment they funded. TOP: All the club’s living past presidents gathered in 1991. BOTTOM: The OSU Folk Club Thrift Shop around 1961. ↑ Leonora Kerr began the Folk Club in 1908 for women affiliated with the university.
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