The Biochemistry and Biophysics Department was established as a separate academic department at Oregon State University in 1967. Prior to 1967, graduate degrees and undergraduate courses in biochemistry were offered through the Chemistry Department. Major research programs in biochemical research began at Oregon State in the early 1950s through the Science Research Institute (SRI), under the direction of Vernon H. Cheldelin, and the Agricultural Chemistry Department. Similarly, research in biophysics began in the early 1960s through SRI and the General Science Department.
Vernon H. Cheldelin joined the Oregon State College faculty in 1942 in the Department of Chemistry as a biochemist. Cheldelin was founding director of the Science Research Institute from 1952 until 1966 and also served as Dean of the School of Science from 1962 until 1965. A native of Clatskanie, Oregon, Cheldelin earned a BA from Reed College (1937), an MS from Oregon State College (1939), and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas (1941). Cheldelin served on the Corvallis School Board; Cheldelin Middle School, constructed in 1967, was named in his honor. Cheldelin died in 1966 at the age of 50.
Robert W. Newburgh was appointed acting chair at the time the department was established and selected as permanent chair in 1968. Newburgh continued as chair until 1976, when he was appointed Dean of the Graduate School. During this time, graduate and undergraduate degree programs in biochemistry and biophysics were inititated.
The Biochemistry and Biophysics Department Records document research in biochemistry conducted at Oregon State University, graduate programs, the administration of the department, and the activities of faculty, especially Vernon H. Cheldelin and Robert W. Newburgh. The collection includes substantive documentation of biochemical research conducted at Oregon State through the Science Research Institute prior to formal establishment of the department in 1967. The bulk of the collection is comprised of materials generated or assembled in the 1960s and 1970s.
The records include grant proposals and accounting records, correspondence, reports and publications, and photographs. Many of the grant proposals include detailed biographical information and lists of publications for faculty. The photographs consist of several portrait images of Vernon H. Cheldelin as well as photographs of him in his laboratory and office. Of special note in Subgroup 2 are materials documenting Vernon Cheldelin's participation in a 1959 curriculum study of Portland (Or.) High Schools.
The numbers that precede titles in the detailed description of the collection are the folder numbers as they appear on the microfilm or item numbers of photographs.
Collection is open for research.
The records are arranged in 2 subgroups: 1. Departmental Files, 1958-1987 and 2. Faculty Files, 1942-1967. Subgroup 1 (Departmental Files) consists of 5 series: I. Research Grants and Awards, 1958-1967; II. Accounting Records, 1960-1966; III. Publications, 1969; IV. Subject Files, 1963-1987; and V. Photographs, circa 1960-1975. Subgroup 2 (Faculty Files) is comprised of 2 series: I. Vernon H. Cheldelin, 1942-1967 and II. Robert W. Newburgh, 1954-1966.
Biochemistry and Biophysics Department Records (RG 178), Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.
The photographs were originally described as a separate collection, the Biochemistry and Biophysics Department Photographs (P 107); they were transferred into this collection in 2011 and the photograph collection was closed.
The bulk of the materials were transferred to the Archives in several accessions in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Additions to the collection are expected.
Additional materials pertaining to biochemistry research and graduate
programs at Oregon State are part of the
Subgroup 1 consists of records assembled and created by the Biochemistry and Biophysics Department primarily documenting research grants, graduate instruction, and departmental administration. The records include grant proposals and accounting records, correspondence, reports, and photographs.
Series I consists of grant proposals to federal agencies and private research organizations, correspondence, plans of work, progress reports, and related documentation for biochemical research conducted by Oregon State faculty including Vernon H. Cheldelin and Robert W. Newburgh.
Denied.
Denied.
Series II includes research grant proposals, budgets, expenditure reports, and related correspondence.
Office of Naval Research (?)
Series III consists of a list of publications, primarily journal articles, written by faculty and graduate students affiliated with or supported by the Science Research Institute from 1952 through 1969.
Series IV consists of microfilmed and paper records, primarily for the period 1963-1974. The records document research and instruction, both graduate and undergraduate, as well as interactions of the Biochemistry and Biophysics Department with other academic departments and the university administration.
Includes faculty biographical and curriculum vita information.
Chairman of the Board and OSU Alumnus
Gift funds.
A draft proposal statement.
Grant proposals.
Draft of a departmental statement.
Filled by department faculty.
Volumes 1 and 2.
National Science Foundation
The photographs are comprised primarily of images of Vernon H. Cheldelin and include portrait photographs and photographs of Cheldelin in a laboratory and at a desk. Camera negatives are included for some of the images. A 1966 group photograph of Triad Club members (that includes Cheldelin) is also part of the series as well as an unidentified group.
Front row: Chuck Wicks, Sam Graf, Bob Walls, Paul Ritcher, Herm Forslund, Herm Scullen, Ed Yunker, Ernie Weigand, Don Wilkinson, Jeff Rodgers, Glenn Bakkum, and Chih Wang. Second row: Grant Fiekert, Bud Gibbs, George Martin, Ted Milne, Milt Sheely, Ed Easton, Les Strickler, Allen Scott, Palmer Young, Dick Highsmith, and Ken Munford. Third row: Sam Bailey, Paul Weswig, Mac McCulloch, Jim Knudsen, Bill West, Ira Allison, Curt Mumford, Hal Moe, Jim Oldfield, Chuck Dailey, and Walter Foreman. Fourth row: Bob Henderson, John Garman, Pete Smith, Don Hunt, Al Cox, Vern Cheldelin, Lew Roth, Richie Cowan, Dick Dilworth, and Herb Sinnard.
Perhaps faculty, staff, and students.
Subgroup 2 consists of materials created and assembled by Vernon H. Cheldelin and Robert W. Newburgh, primarily pertaining to their research activities. The records include correspondence, articles, reports, and related documentation. The materials pre-date establishment of the Biochemistry and Biophysics Department in 1967.
Series I consists of correspondence, articles, and reports written and received by Cheldelin pertaining primarily to his research and leadership of the Science Research Institute. Biographical information and a curriculum vita for Cheldelin are included. Of special note are materials documenting Cheldelin's participation in a Portland High School Curriculum Study conducted in 1959 that was overseen by Albert R. Kitzhaber. Cheldelin's contribution focused on the college preparation in the sciences.
Pertaining to nutrition research.
Research Corporation
Series II consists of correspondence sent and received by Newburgh as well as related materials documenting his research, teaching, and administrative activities as a faculty member in the Chemistry Department and researcher in the Science Research Institute. Correspondence with chemical companies regarding possible funding of research and graduate fellowships is included.