OREp001.xml Guide to the Presidents of Oregon State University Photographic Collection circa 1865-1999 Oregon State University Presidents Photographic Collection Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Nielsen. Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. 2007 Oregon State University Archives
121 The Valley Library Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-4501 Phone: 541-737-2165 Email: archives@oregonstate.edu Web: http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/archives
Encoded by ArchProteus and Erin Whitesel-Jones. 2004 Finding aid written in English Finding aid based on DACS ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard). Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections & Archives Research Center University Archives
121 The Valley Library Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-4501 Phone: 541-737-2165 Email: archives@oregonstate.edu Web: http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/archives
Consult repository. Presidents of Oregon State University Photographic Collection circa 1865-1999 1910-1970 0.5 cubic foot, including 300 prints, 7 film negatives, 6 slides, and 1 oil painting 4 boxes, include 3 oversize boxes The Presidents of Oregon State University Photographic Collection consists of images of Oregon State University presidents from W. A. Finley through Paul Risser from a variety of sources and in various formats, primarily b/w prints. The collection includes multiple images for William Jasper Kerr, George W. Peavy, August L. Strand, and James H. Jensen. Materials in English Historical Note:

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.

The photographs are arranged in 17 series, primarily by president: I. William A. Finley; II. Benjamin Lee Arnold; III. John M. Bloss; IV. H.B. Miller; V. Thomas M. Gatch; VI. William Jasper Kerr; VII. George W. Peavy; VIII. Frank Llewellyn Ballard; IX. A.L. Strand; X. James H. Jensen; XI. John D. Letcher; XII. Francois A. Gilfillan; XIII. Multiple Presidents; XIV. Robert W. MacVicar; XV. John V. Byrne; XVI. Paul Gillan Risser; and XVII. Roy A. Young.

All images have been assigned individual numbers (P001:001-P001:114).

Collection is open for research.

Presidents of Oregon State University Photographic Collection (P 1), Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.

Additions to the collection are expected.

Other photographic collections containing substantial numbers of presidential photos include Harriet's Collection and the Alumni Association (P 17), Historical (P 25), Faculty and Staff (P 46), News and Communication Services (P 57), Gwil Evans (P 82), President's Office (P 92), Robert W. Henderson (P 98), and Agricultural Communications (P 120) Photographic Collections.

Albumen prints of early 1890s protraits of John M. Bloss and John D. Letcher are available in the Emile Pernot Photographs (P 230).

 Finley, W. A. (William Asa), 1839-1912. Arnold, B. L. (Benjamin Lea), 1839-1892. Letcher, John D. Bloss, John McKnight, 1839- Miller, H. B. Gatch, Thomas M. Kerr, William Jasper, 1863-1947. Peavy, George Wilcox, 1869-1951. Ballard, Frank Llewellyn. Gilfillan, F. A. (Francois Archibald), 1893-1983. Strand, A. L. (August Leroy), 1894- Jensen, James H. Young, Roy A. (Roy Alton), 1921- Byrne, John Vincent, 1928- Risser, Paul G. MacVicar, Robert William, 1918- Zwahlen, Fred C., 1924- Henderson, Robert W. (Robert Wesley), 1914- Savage, C. R. (Charles Roscoe), 1832-1909. Burtner, John C. (John Cole), 1895- Goldson, L. Ball Studio. Howell's Studio. Harris & Ewing. Oregon State University. College presidents--Oregon--Corvallis. Photographic prints. Albumen prints. Film negatives. Slides. Cartes de visite. Cabinet photographs. Oil paintings. Oregon Corvallis Photographs Colleges and Universities Series I circa 1865-1870 William A. Finley

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.

 P001:001 1 As a young man (possibly taken at time of marriage) circa 1865 4 prints P001:002 Portrait circa 1870 1 8 prints 2 apx 12x17 in. 1 oversize print Series II Benjamin Lee Arnold circa 1875

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.

 P001:003 1 Portrait made in Winona, Mississippi Photograph by L. Goldson. 1 carte de visite and 1 print Series III John M. Bloss circa 1895

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.

 P001:004 Portrait 1 2 prints 2 apx 12x17 in. 1 oversize print Series IV H.B. Miller circa 1890-1920

A successful Oregon businessman and politician, Miller served as president of Oregon Agricultural College for only eleven months in 1896-1897.

 P001:005 1 Portrait circa 1920 3 prints P001:006 1 Seated portrait circa 1915 5 prints Made by Eugene photographer Sue Dorris. P001:007 1 Portrait circa 1890s P001:112 1 Portrait circa 1915 Series V Thomas M. Gatch circa 1907

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.

 P001:008 Portrait 1 3 prints 2 apx 12x17 in. 1 oversize print Series VI William Jasper Kerr circa 1905-1940

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.

 P001:009 By Kay-Hart, New York. 1 Portrait 1940 15 prints P001:010-P001:011 Standing on campus circa late 1920s P001:010 Perhaps by John Burtner. 1 P001:011 By John Burtner. 1 On Memorial Union steps P001:012-P001:021 1 Seated at desk circa 1930 P001:013 1 P001:015 1 6 prints P001:017 1 9 prints P001:018 1 3 prints P001:020 By Ball Studio. 1 10 prints P001:021 1 3 prints P001:022-P001:024 In cap and gown 1931 P001:022 1 3 prints P001:023 1 2 prints P001:024 1 4 prints By A.J. Stover. P001:025 1 Pen drawing circa 1925 By Salt Lake City (Utah) photographer C.R. Savage. P001:026 1 Portrait circa 1905 7 prints By Ball Studio. P001:027 1 Portrait 1913 By Rockwood, New York City. P001:028 1 Portrait circa 1910 2 prints By Harris and Ewing, Washington, DC P001:029 1 Standing portrait circa 1910 By Bushnell (Frank?), Portland. P001:030-P001:032 Portraits 1923 P001:030 1 2 prints P001:031- P001:032 1 4 prints P001:033-P001:038 1 Portraits circa 1925 P001:033 1 By Ball Studio. 2 prints P001:034 1 Seated portrait. By Harris and Ewing, Washington, D.C. P001:035 1 By Ball Studio. 3 prints P001:036 1 2 prints P001:037 1 By Ball Studio. P001:038 1 By Ball Studio. 7 prints P001:039 1 Walking across campus with Lincoln Steffins 1913 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.

 P001:040-P001:043 Portraits circa 1930 P001:040 1 7 prints and 1 copy negative P001:041 1 By Harris and Ewing, Washington, D.C. 2 prints P001:042 1 By Harris and Ewing, Washington, D.C. 2 prints P001:043 1 By Bushnell (Frank?), Portland. 1930 5 prints By Harris and Ewing. P001:044 1 Seated portrait 1930 By Harris and Ewing P001:045-P001:046 1 Portraits 1930 5 prints P001:047-P001:049 Portraits circa 1934 P001:047 1 5 prints and 1 copy negative P001:048 1 12 prints P001:049 1 5 prints P001:050-P001:054 1 Portraits circa 1926 P001:050 1 By Ball Studio. 4 prints P001:051 1 By Steffens-Colmer Studio. 5 prints P001:052 1 By Steffens-Colmer Studio. 5 prints P001:053 1 By Ball Studio. 4 prints P001:054 1 2 prints P001:108 William Jasper Kerr and family circa 1920 4x5 duplicate negative and 8x10 print made from original held by family Member

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.

 Series VII George W. Peavy circa 1890-1955

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.

 By Ball Studio. P001:055 1 Portrait circa 1925 2 prints P001:056 1 Seated in Library's McDonald Room 1934 4 prints P001:057 1 Portrait 1938 3 prints P001:058 1 Holiday greetings letter 1935 P001:059-P001:061 At Peavy Arboretum 1935 P001:059 1 4x5 negatives and 7 prints P001:060 1 2 4x5 negatives and 2 prints P001:061 1 1 print P001:062 1 With students outdoors circa 1955 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.

 P001:063-P001:065 Portraits 1938 P001:063 By Continental Studio, New York. 1 2 prints P001:064 1 2 prints P001:065 1 7 prints P001:103 1 By Randall of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Cabinet card portrait early 1890s P001:105 1 Dressed in field gear circa 1920s Series VIII Frank Llewellyn Ballard circa 1940-1950

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.

 P001:066 1 Portrait circa 1950 P001:067 1 Portrait circa 1945 P001:068 1 Portrait circa 1950 2 prints P001:069 1 Seated portrait at table 1940 2 prints Series IX A.L. Strand circa 1945-1970

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.

P001:070-P001:071 1 Portraits 1947 P001:070 1 9 prints P001:071 1 4 prints By Robert W. Henderson. P001:072 1 Seated at table smoking a cigar 1965 color slide P001:073 1 Making speech (at Bell Field?) circa 1945 P001:074-P001:075 1 Portraits circa 1950 By Howells Studio, Corvallis. P001:077-P001:078 1 In cap and gown circa 1950 P001:079 1 Portrait 1961 11 prints P001:080 1 Machine show, looking at GE airplane engine 1951 P001:081 and P001:083 Seated at desk circa 1945 P001:081 1 4x5 negative and 2 prints P001:083 1 Cropped version of P001:081. 2 prints P001:082 1 Seated at desk (copy of drawing by Ralph Iligan) undated P001:084 1 Making speech circa 1948 P001:085 1 Portrait circa 1970 Series X James H. Jensen circa 1965

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.

P001:086 By Robert W. Henderson. 1 Smoking pipe color slide P001:087 By Fred Zwahlen 1 Seated at desk 4 prints P001:088-P001:089 Portraits P001:088 1 3 prints P001:089 1 2 prints P001:090-P001:098 1 Seated at desk 8 prints and 1 contact sheet Series XI John D. Letcher circa 1892-1931

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.

 P001:099 1 Modern print of published portrait circa 1892

See also P077:036.

 P001:111 3 Painting 1931 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).

 Series XII Francois A. Gilfillan circa 1940

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.

By Howells Studio. P001:100 1 Portrait circa 1940 3 prints Series XIII Multiple Presidents circa 1920 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.

 1 5x7 negative 4 apx 16x20 in. Oversize print Series XIV Robert W. MacVicar 1942 and early 1970s

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.

 P001:102 1 2nd Lt. Sanitary Corps, U.S. Army 1942 P001:104 1 By Robert W. Henderson (12898). OSU's champion hog caller; on Eastern Oregon tour (?) circa early 1970s color slide Series XV John V. Byrne 1985-1995

Byrne assumed the presidency in November 1984 and served for 11 years until the end of 1995.

 P001:106 1 Seated at desk circa 1994 3 color slides P001:107 1 Portrait circa 1985 Taken by Mark Floyd, News and Communications Services P001:109 1 John and Shirley Byrne 1987

News and Communications file no. 254, neg. no. 9.

 Series XVI Paul G. Risser 1996-1999

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.

 By Ball Studio. P001:110 1 Portrait 1996 3 prints P001:114 1 Paul and Les Risser (two views) before August 1999 2 prints Series XVII Roy A. Young circa 1970

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.

 P001:113 1 Portrait