From Woody's Couch

The Makio, 1965

This year’s USG election is the latest in a long line of annual events in which students choose the candidate whom they believe will best represent their interests in Ohio State’s student government. It has sometimes been ugly – depending on how much mud is slung by various candidates – and it sometimes has been plagued by scandal, with accusations of vote-rigging other such charges.

And once, in 1965, it was infused with a healthy dose of humor, thanks to R.L. Stine, who went on to author the popular Goosebumps series of scary books for kids.

The Makio, 1965

At the time he ran for USG president that year, Stine was also known as Jovial Bob Stine, editor of the Sundial, OSU’s very own humor magazine. He also was a graduating senior and therefore not eligible to actually win the election. But that didn’t stop him from running a full-blown campaign, complete with clowns carrying signs encouraging students to vote for “Jovial Bob.” His campaign promise: If elected he would graduate and be gone for good.

Amazingly, he received 1,200 write-in votes.

After graduating that year, Stine went to New York City where, according to the alumni magazine, he wrote for a humor magazine called “Bananas,” then published his first book, How to Be Funny. He later wrote G.I. Joe and Indiana Jones books.

In the late 1980s, R.L. Stone was asked by a former editor to write a scary children’s book called Blind Date, which became a best-seller. That led to an idea for a series of scary stories for children, which led to Goosebumps. At one point in the early 1990s, the series outsold such other best-selling authors as Stephen King, John Grisham and Michael Crichton.

Coincidentally (or perhaps not?), the year after Jovial Bob ran, there was only one candidate for USG President. Also coincidentally, considering this blog post, this year’s election again features only one candidate – the first time since 1966.

Owens competes in the broad jump at the 1936 Olympic Games

“Faster, Higher, Stronger – Jesse Owens: 100 Years of Life and Legacy” opens today in William Oxley Thompson Library Gallery and features material from the University Archives’ Jesse Owens Papers. The exhibit marking the 100th anniversary of Owens’ birth will run through May 5, 2013.

Owens made history at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by winning four gold medals in track and field.  Owens spent much of his later life working with young people and serving as a goodwill ambassador for the Olympic movement and the United States.  His accomplishments are explored in detail throughout the exhibit.  Highlights include Owens’ Olympic gold medals and diary, an Olympic torch from the 1936 Berlin Games, and Owens’ Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The exhibit examines Owens’ legacy after his death in 1980 and explains his connection to today’s Olympic athletes.  Material from the 2012 London Olympics worn by an Ohio State University student-athlete will be included in the exhibit.

Owen’s gold medals, 1936

Additional information  about Owens can be found in the Archives’ web exhibit, “Jesse Owens: a lasting legend.”

An opening reception will be held Wednesday, January 23, from 4-6 p.m. in Room 165 at Thompson Library. The public is invited.

The Thompson Library is located at 1858 Neil Avenue Mall at The Ohio State University.  Gallery hours are Monday-Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon- 5 p.m.

For more information, please contact Tamar Chute (chute.6@osu.edu; 614-292-3271).