Delmer Goode Oral History Interview (3 of 7)

The third interview picks up from Goode’s arrival into Corvallis in 1919. Previously, he had been asked to reflect on OAC President William Jasper Kerr. He admitted that while he had a few criticisms, he overall found Kerr to an intelligent and competent man. However, Kerr’s decision to disallow the Humanities as majors did not sit well with Goode. Nevertheless, other tensions were also present during Goode’s time at the college. He recalls the animosity between OAC and the University of Oregon, commenting that it was mostly ridicule.

Later, Goode speaks at length about the unification process between the two schools in terms of a unified catalog. Both sides felt distrust towards the other but managed to get along enough to accomplish their goals. After being prompted by the interviewer, Goode reflects on the years that the institution did not have a president. This period fell during the Great Depression of the 1930s and the loss of faculty created a burden for those who remained, especially for the executive secretary, W.A. Jensen. Yet, this brought on a kinship for those within OSC and faculty volunteered part of their pay to a fund that provided for those who could not find work.