Journalism courses were first offered at Oregon Agricultural College during the 1914/15 school year, and the Department of Industrial Journalism was created in 1918. The department's purpose was to train students "who wish to take positions on farm and trade journals, newspapers, and other publications, especially where writing on industrial subjects such as Agriculture, Home Economics, and Engineering is required" (1919/20 OAC Catalogue). On three occasions during the 1920s, the State Board of Higher Curricula was requested to consider restricting or eliminating industrial journalism at Oregon State. During the 1930s and 1940s, journalism at Oregon State was administered jointly with the program at the University of Oregon as part of the higher education reorganization in Oregon. In 1969, departmental majors were offered for the first time; subsequently, thirty technical minors were added. In 1992, the Journalism Department was eliminated as part of university wide budget reductions.
The Journalism Department Photographs consist of images created or assembled by Journalism Department staff and students. All of the images are b/w prints. Subjects depicted in the photographs include the members and activities of the Sigma Delta Chi journalism honorary society at Oregon State; students and student activities; campus buildings, including the Library and LaSells Stewart Center; the sculpture on Jefferson Street south of the library; and Oregon scenes. Of especial note are images of Journalism Department faculty, Fred Shideler and John Burtner, and graduates, Tom Eggers and Shawn Church.
The images in Series IV through VI of student activities, campus buildings, and Oregon scenes may have been assembled by the department in preparing publicity for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication annual conference held in Corvallis in 1983. Several of the images are available online and are linked from the item descriptions.
Photographers are indicated for many of the images and include Allan J. de Lay, Ed Hershberger, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Collection is open for research.
Arranged in 7 series: I. Sigma Delta Chi, 1930-1939; II. Beaver Boys State, circa 1960; III. Journalism Graduates, 1983-1984; IV. Campus Buildings, circa 1976-1983; V. Student Activities and Academic Programs, 1978-1980; VI. Oregon Views, circa 1980; and VII. Student Projects, circa 1970s.
Journalism Department Photographs (P 208), Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.
Transferred in two accessions in 1995 and 1996 from University Publications and Student Media.
The
The Sigma Delta Chi photographs depict the members and activities of this journalism organization during the 1930s. Several of the photographs were published in the
Initiation with 6 men wearing straw hats and carrying parasols.
The annual Barometer Bust, sponsored by Sigma Delta Chi, is scheduled every spring. All members of the staffs of the Barometer, student daily paper, attend and are amused by the antics of Sigma Delta Chi members and prospective pledges. A future SDX member loses his pants as faculty members laugh in the background.
Sigma Delta Chi Dick Kennedy, editor of the student daily, and Fred M. Shideler, head of Journalism Department and alumni member of SDX tap out stories at the downtown editorial offices of the student daily.
The Publications Committee of Oregon State College controls all student publications and selects the editors and managers of each one. Member of Sigma Delta Shi predominate on the committee shown above. At the extreme right is E.T. Reed, publications editor for the college and an associate member of Sigma Delta Chi. Seated at the head of the table and third from the right is Fred M. Shideler, head of the Journalism Department, Chairman of the Committee, and an alumni member of Sigma Delta Chi. Burch Davis, fourth from right and Ed Burchell, left are both member of the Oregon State chapter. Published in 1938
The Memorial Union building on the Oregon State College campus. This student-erected building houses the offices of all publications and the Journalism Department. Sigma Delta Chi is honored by being one of all publications and the Journalism Department. Sigma Delta Chi is honored by being one of the three honor or professional societies who have their own rooms in the building
Chapter adviser John C. Burtner spreads it on at the annual Barometer Bust, funfest and party sponsored by Sigma Delta Chi for all students enrolled in journalism or working on the staff of a major publication on the campus. Published in the 1939
This group under the guidance of Hal Higgs, Sigma Delta Chi man shown in front center, edits the campus Student Directory, telephone book showing home addresses, school addresses, and school registered. Published in 1938
Part of the "festive board" at the SDX banquet honoring Dr. Rex Harlow, director of the Stanford School Press Relations Investigation, who is made an associate member of the OSC chapter last April. Dick Gearhart, president of the chapter and last year's delegate is shown on the extreme right.
C.D. Byrne, director of information for the Oregon State System of Higher Education and a member of the Wisconsin chapter of SDX, takes a bite of ice cream between words with Dr. Rex. F. Harlow, professor of education at Stanford University and director of the Stanford School Press Relations Investigation. Dick Kennedy, editor of the
Ben Ames, famed United Press European correspondent, was the center of interest at one of the Oregon State SDX professional meetings last spring. A number of the campus "big shots" including President George W. Peavy (standing) came in for the luncheon meeting. Ames is shown in the center, thumb in vest. Published in the 1938
Another view of the Ben Ames professional meeting, showing Ames (fourth from the left) with President Peavy, Dr. U.G. Dubach, Dean of Men; the Japanese consul from Portland; and W.A. Jensen, executive secretary of the college, following in order. Ames gave one of the most interesting talks and brought forth more questions than perhaps any other person who addressed the SDX men during the year.
Sigma Delta Chi is a co-sponsor of the Student Directory. Here, Editor Hall Higgs directs the activities of the staff from the Barometer workroom. Published in 1938
The campus buildings photographs include images of the Kerr Administration Building, Benton Hall, the Memorial Union, Waldo Hall, LaSells Strewart Center, and campus dormitories.
Published in 1978
These b/w prints depict various scenic views of the Oregon coast, Columbia Gorge, Cascades, and central Oregon. All images provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Series VII consists of photographs taken and mounted by students for Journalism Department class projects.
Anonymous photographer.
Greg Collin, photographer.
Jon Gray, photographer.
Students studying on lawn, in library, in Memorial Union lounge, and elsewhere. Chris Bunsen, photographer.
Michael J. Myers, photographer.
Rick Packard, photographer.
Fraternity activities including intramurals; IFC sing; volleyball; cleaning train in Avery Park; sweeping porch of Delta Tau Delta house; and a meal. Don Mason, photographer.
Herman Jottman (sp?), photographer.