Collection is open for research.
Since its designation as a land-grant institution of higher learning in 1868, Oregon State University has had 19 presidents, including 5 acting (or interim) presidents. They have been William A. Finley, 1865-1872 (Finley was appointed president of the university's predecessor institution, Corvallis Academy, in 1865); Joseph Emery, acting, 1872; Benjamin L. Arnold, 1872-1892; John D. Letcher, acting, 1892; John M. Bloss, 1892-1896; H. B. Miller, 1896-1897; Thomas M. Gatch, 1897-1907; William Jasper Kerr, 1907- 1932; George W. Peavy, acting, 1932-1934, president, 1934-1940; Frank L. Ballard, 1940-1941; Francois A. Gilfillan, acting, 1941- 1942; August L. Strand, 1942-1961; James H. Jensen, 1961-1969; Roy A. Young, acting, 1969-1970; Robert W. MacVicar, 1970-1984; John V. Byrne, 1984-1995; Paul G. Risser, 1996-2002; Timothy P. White, interim, 2002-2003; and Edward J. Ray, 2003-.
The president is the chief executive officer of the university. From 1868 to 1929 the president reported to the college's Board of Trustees/Regents. Since the creation of the Oregon University System (formerly the Oregon State System of Higher Education) in 1929, the president has reported to the System's chancellor.
The Presidents of Oregon State University Photographic Collection consists of images of most of OSU's presidents and acting presidents. The majority of the images are black and white prints. Several images have multiple prints. A few of the 19th century portraits are albumen prints, and others are copies. The collection also includes 5 camera negatives, 6 color slides, and an oil painting; these are indicated in the detailed description of the collection.
Presidents of Oregon State University Photographic Collection (P 1), Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.
W.A. Finley served as the first President of Corvallis College from 1865 until 1872. He was appointed in 1865 as President of the University's predecessor institution, Corvallis College, by the Methodist Episcopal Church South and was president at the time the College was chosen as the agricultural college for Oregon under the provisions of the 1862 Morrill Act.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:001: As a young man (possibly taken
at time of marriage)
4 prints
|
circa 1865 |
P001:002: Portrait
|
circa 1870 | |
Box | ||
1 |
8 prints
|
|
2 |
apx 12x17 in.
1 oversize print
|
Benjamin Lee Arnold was named president by the bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in the summer of 1872 and arrived in Corvallis in September. Arnold continued as president until his death on January 30, 1892, at the age of 52.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:003: Portrait
made in Winona, Mississippi
Photograph by L. Goldson.
1 carte de visite and 1 print
|
John McKnight Bloss served as the third President of Oregon Agricultural College from 1892 until 1896. He was the first OAC president hired directly by the Board of Regents.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
P001:004: Portrait
|
||
Box | ||
1 |
2 prints
|
|
2 |
apx 12x17 in.
1 oversize print
|
A successful Oregon businessman and politician, Miller served as president of Oregon Agricultural College for only eleven months in 1896-1897.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:005: Portrait
3 prints
|
circa 1920 |
1 |
P001:006: Seated
portrait
5 prints
|
circa 1915 |
1 |
P001:007: Portrait
Made by Eugene photographer Sue Dorris.
|
circa 1890s |
1 |
P001:112: Portrait
|
circa 1915 |
Gatch was appointed as president of Oregon Agricultural College because of his vast experience in higher education, having previously presided over Willamette University (1860-1865 and 1870-1880) and the University of Washington (1887-1895). He retired from the OAC presidency in July 1907 (at the age of 74), but remained at the College as Professor of Political and Mental Science until the end of 1907.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
P001:008: Portrait
|
||
Box | ||
1 |
3 prints
|
|
2 |
apx 12x17 in.
1 oversize print
|
William Jasper Kerr was chosen as President of Oregon Agricultural College in 1907 and lead the College through a 25-year period of tremendous growth in numbers of students and faculty, academic and research programs, and physical facilities. Kerr's influence on Oregon higher education continued as he served as the first Chancellor of the Oregon State System of Higher Education from 1932 until his retirement in 1935.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 | 1940 | |
P001:010-P001:011: Standing on
campus
|
circa late 1920s | |
Box | ||
1 |
Perhaps by John Burtner.
|
|
1 |
P001:011: On
Memorial Union steps
By John Burtner.
|
|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:012-P001:021: Seated at desk
|
circa 1930 |
Box | ||
1 | ||
1 |
6 prints
|
|
1 |
9 prints
|
|
1 |
3 prints
|
|
1 |
By Ball Studio.
10 prints
|
|
1 |
3 prints
|
|
P001:022-P001:024: In cap and gown
|
1931 | |
Box | ||
1 |
3 prints
|
|
1 |
2 prints
|
|
1 |
4 prints
|
|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:025: Pen drawing
By A.J. Stover.
|
circa 1925 |
1 |
P001:026: Portrait
By Salt Lake City (Utah) photographer C.R. Savage.
7 prints
|
circa 1905 |
1 |
P001:027: Portrait
By Ball Studio.
|
1913 |
1 | circa 1910 | |
1 |
P001:029: Standing
portrait
By Harris and Ewing, Washington, DC
|
circa 1910 |
P001:030-P001:032: Portraits
By Bushnell (Frank?), Portland.
|
1923 | |
Box | ||
1 |
2 prints
|
|
1 |
4 prints
|
|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:033-P001:038: Portraits
|
circa 1925 |
Box | ||
1 |
By Ball Studio.
2 prints
|
|
1 |
P001:034: Seated
portrait.
By Harris and Ewing, Washington, D.C.
|
|
1 |
By Ball Studio.
3 prints
|
|
1 |
2 prints
|
|
1 |
By Ball Studio.
|
|
1 |
By Ball Studio.
7 prints
|
|
1 |
P001:039: Walking across campus with
Lincoln Steffins
1 duplicate print
Steffins was a speaker at the College Convocation on October
22, 1913; photograph published in 1915
Orange, p. 129 and in the 1969
Beaver, p. 60. The original
print is at
P25:289.
|
1913 |
P001:040-P001:043: Portraits
|
circa 1930 | |
Box | ||
1 |
7 prints and 1 copy negative
|
|
1 |
By Harris and Ewing, Washington, D.C.
2 prints
|
|
1 |
By Harris and Ewing, Washington, D.C.
2 prints
|
|
1 |
By Bushnell (Frank?), Portland.
5 prints
|
1930 |
Box | ||
1 |
P001:044: Seated portrait
By Harris and Ewing.
|
1930 |
1 |
P001:045-P001:046: Portraits
By Harris and Ewing
5 prints
|
1930 |
P001:047-P001:049: Portraits
|
circa 1934 | |
Box | ||
1 |
5 prints and 1 copy negative
|
|
1 |
12 prints
|
|
1 |
5 prints
|
|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:050-P001:054: Portraits
|
circa 1926 |
Box | ||
1 |
By Ball Studio.
4 prints
|
|
1 |
By Steffens-Colmer Studio.
5 prints
|
|
1 |
By Steffens-Colmer Studio.
5 prints
|
|
1 |
By Ball Studio.
4 prints
|
|
1 |
2 prints
|
|
P001:108: William Jasper Kerr and
family
Standing (l to r): Ralph Reynolds, Vesta Kerr Reynolds,
Horace Kerr, Adma Green Kerr, Lynette Kerr McGinnis, Genieve Kerr Henry. Seated
(l to r): Leona Kerr Shinn, Leonora Deseret Hamilton Kerr, Robert Marion Kerr,
William Jasper Kerr.
|
circa 1920 |
George Peavy, Dean of Forestry, was appointed Acting President of Oregon State College in 1932 when President Kerr was chosen as the first Chancellor of the Oregon State System of Higher Education. In January 1934 he was designated President of the College and also continued as Dean of Forestry, positions he held until his retirement in 1940.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:055: Portrait
By Ball Studio.
2 prints
|
circa 1925 |
1 |
P001:056: Seated in Library's McDonald
Room
4 prints
|
1934 |
1 |
P001:057: Portrait
3 prints
|
1938 |
1 |
P001:058: Holiday greetings
letter
|
1935 |
P001:059-P001:061: At Peavy
Arboretum
|
1935 | |
Box | ||
1 |
4x5 negatives and 7 prints
|
|
1 |
2 4x5 negatives and 2 prints
|
|
1 |
1 print
|
|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:062: With students
outdoors
3 prints
Color reproduction of a painting by Fred Ludekens. The
painting of Peavy with a group of students, made posthumously by the
Weyerhauser Timber Company, was used extensively in advertisements in trade
journals and the popular press, including
The Saturday Evening Post.
|
circa 1955 |
P001:063-P001:065: Portraits
|
1938 | |
Box | ||
1 |
By Continental Studio, New York.
2 prints
|
|
1 |
2 prints
|
|
1 |
7 prints
|
|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:103: Cabinet card
portrait
By Randall of Ann Arbor, Michigan.
|
early 1890s |
1 |
P001:105: Dressed in field
gear
|
circa 1920s |
After a distinguished career with the Oregon State College Extension Service, Ballard was appointed president in 1940. He served less than a year because of illness and returned to the Extension Service administration. Ballard was the first OSC alumnus to serve as president.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:066: Portrait
|
circa 1950 |
1 |
P001:067: Portrait
|
circa 1945 |
1 |
P001:068: Portrait
2 prints
|
circa 1950 |
1 |
P001:069: Seated portrait at
table
2 prints
|
1940 |
A.L. Strand was appointed President of Oregon State College in the fall of 1942 and led the College through World War II and the post- war period of extensive growth in students and facilities until his retirement in 1961.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:070-P001:071: Portraits
|
1947 |
Box | ||
1 |
9 prints
|
|
1 |
4 prints
|
|
1 |
P001:072: Seated at table smoking a
cigar
By Robert W. Henderson.
color slide
|
1965 |
1 |
P001:073: Making speech (at Bell
Field?)
|
circa 1945 |
1 |
P001:074-P001:075: Portraits
|
circa 1950 |
1 |
P001:077-P001:078: In cap and gown
By Howells Studio, Corvallis.
|
circa 1950 |
1 |
P001:079: Portrait
11 prints
|
1961 |
1 |
P001:080: Machine show, looking at GE
airplane engine
|
1951 |
P001:081 and P001:083: Seated at desk
|
circa 1945 | |
Box | ||
1 |
4x5 negative and 2 prints
|
|
1 |
P001:083: Cropped version of
P001:081.
2 prints
|
|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:082: Seated at desk (copy of
drawing by Ralph Iligan)
|
undated |
1 |
P001:084: Making
speech
|
circa 1948 |
1 |
P001:085: Portrait
|
circa 1970 |
An internationally respected scientist, educator, and administrator, Jensen served as Oregon State University president from 1961 until 1969 and led the institution's first steps toward becoming a University in fact as well as name by expanding degree programs in the liberal arts as well as scientific research programs.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:086: Smoking pipe
By Robert W. Henderson.
color slide
|
|
1 | ||
P001:088-P001:089: Portraits
|
||
Box | ||
1 |
3 prints
|
|
1 |
2 prints
|
|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:090-P001:098: Seated at
desk
8 prints and 1 contact sheet
|
Senior Professor John D. Letcher was chosen unanimously by the Board of Regents as the acting president after B.L. Arnold's sudden death in January 1892. According to their report, he was "better acquainted with the duties of the president and the working of the college than any other man living". He held the position in addition to his teaching duties for 4 months until the arrival of John McKnight Bloss in early June.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:099: Modern print of published
portrait
See also P077:036.
|
circa 1892 |
3 |
P001:111: Painting
apx 25x30 in.
Painting by W. Maurice Ball of John D. Letcher made in 1931
from a photograph provided to Oregon Agricultural College by Letcher. The
original photograph was made during the time that Letcher was affiliated with
OAC (1888-1894).
|
1931 |
F.A. Gilfillan was officially appointed as Acting President of Oregon State College in September 1941 after the resignation of President Ballard. However he had been serving as chair of the Administrative Council and carrying out the president's campus duties since October 1940. He lead the University through the uncertain months of the beginning of World War II until A.L. Strand's arrival in October 1942.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:100: Portrait
By Howells Studio.
3 prints
|
circa 1940 |
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
P001:101: Composite of
Presidents
Includes William A. Finley, Benjamin A. Arnold, John M.
Bloss, H.B. Miller, Thomas M. Gatch, and William J. Kerr.
|
||
Box | ||
1 |
5x7 negative
|
|
4 |
apx 16x20 in.
Oversize print
|
MacVicar came to Oregon State University in 1970 from Southern Illinois University, where he had been a vice president and chancellor since 1964. President MacVicar was a staunch proponent of the land-grant university concept and built close ties during his years as president between OSU and the people of Oregon. He retired in 1984.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:102: 2nd Lt. Sanitary Corps, U.S.
Army
|
1942 |
1 |
P001:104: OSU's champion hog caller; on
Eastern Oregon tour (?)
By Robert W. Henderson (12898).
color slide
|
circa early 1970s |
Byrne assumed the presidency in November 1984 and served for 11 years until the end of 1995.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:106: Seated at desk
3 color slides
|
circa 1994 |
1 |
P001:107: Portrait
|
circa 1985 |
1 |
P001:109: John and Shirley
Byrne
Taken by Mark Floyd, News and Communications Services
News and Communications file no. 254, neg. no. 9.
|
1987 |
On November 2, 1995, the Oregon State Board of Higher Education named Paul G. Risser to succeed John Byrne as President of Oregon State University. He served as OSU president from 1996 to 2002.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 | 1996 | |
1 |
P001:114: Paul and Les Risser (two
views)
2 prints
|
before August 1999 |
Young, Professor of Plant Pathology, was appointed in 1966 as the University's first Dean of Research with responsibility for campus-wide research coordination. He served as Acting President for one year until the arrival of MacVicar in July 1970, when he resumed responsibility for research coordination as Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, a position he held until 1976.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 |
P001:113: Portrait
|