Atherton, CA — November 24, 2025 — Menlo College is proud to introduce a new addition to the Bowman Library: a handcrafted “Library Oakie” sculpture created by Youth of Suha Suha (YOS), a Bay Area high school art volunteer group led by Menlo instructor and artist Hae Lee Choi.
Lee, whose artwork is also displayed in the Administration Building, approached Menlo with the idea of creating a sculptural version of Oakie, inspired by her group’s previous work on public art projects – including projects for the Santa Clara Fire Department. The students spent six months designing and building the piece before presenting it on campus last week.
With Menlo College’s 100th anniversary approaching, the sculpture arrives at a meaningful moment. “Since May, our young artists have put their hearts into making Menlo’s Oakie,” said Hae Lee. “Most of my students come from tech-driven, academically competitive families. They’re brilliant and results-oriented, but that’s why projects like this matter so much. When students create something for someone else, they experience a different kind of joy, one you can’t measure with scores or outcomes. And once they feel the joy of giving, it becomes part of who they are.”
Lee added that her students “loved creating Oakie and learning more about Menlo College,” noting that they’ve become “unofficial ambassadors” after sharing their experience with friends and family. “We hope Menlo students and faculty enjoy seeing Library Oakie and that it brings a smile whenever someone walks by,” she said. “I even hope it becomes an Insta hotspot for students.”
The sculpture is now on display in the Bowman Library, where it welcomes visitors into a space filled with student creativity, community pride, and the Menlo-Oak spirit.
Visit the Youth of Suha Suha website and Instagram page for more information about their history and work.
Contact Information:
Press Contact: pr@menlo.edu
About Menlo College:
Menlo College is a small private, nonprofit college founded in 1927 with a mission to “ignite potential and educate students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy.” Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College offers undergraduate degrees in business and psychology, as well as three graduate degrees: a Master of Science in Information Systems, a Master of Science in Financial Technology, and a Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology. Menlo is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving (AANAPISI) Institution.
