Dublin Core
Title
August and Mollie Strand Oral History Interview
Description
In this interview, former Oregon State College President August Strand and his wife Mollie discuss their life at OSC. They note that they first came to Oregon State in 1942, during World War II. They moved to Oregon from Montana, and traveled with their children via train. August Strand succeeded Francois Gilfillan as president of Oregon State. He discusses some of the early administrative problems he encountered in his position, including struggles in the science and business schools. Dr. Strand also notes that he wished the students were a bit more rebellious during the 1950s, although his wife disagrees with him on this point.
From there, the Strands talk about what it was like to live in Corvallis, with Mrs. Strand describing her experience of hosting dinners for professors and other colleagues. August Strand then discusses some of the changes that occurred at Oregon State during his presidency, including building repairs and the creation of a Faculty Senate. The session concludes with a conversation about how Dr. and Mrs. Strand feel about Oregon State University as it existed at the time of this interview.
August Strand was born on February 12, 1894 in Victoria, Texas. He later moved to Montana, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in entomology at Montana State College, before then going on to earn his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. He returned to Montana State College to work as a professor, serving in that position for six years before being appointed as the college’s president. In 1942, Strand and his family moved to Corvallis, where he had been hired as the new president of Oregon State College. He held that position until his retirement in 1961, and continued to live in Corvallis until he passed away on April 27, 1980, at age 86.
Mollie (Allen) Strand was born in Galway, Ireland on September 4, 1894. She studied Home Economics at Montana State College, where she met and, in 1919, married August Strand. The mother of three children, Mrs. Strand was central to many civic and social activities during her twenty years as First Lady of Oregon State College. She passed away in Corvallis on August 27, 1983.
From there, the Strands talk about what it was like to live in Corvallis, with Mrs. Strand describing her experience of hosting dinners for professors and other colleagues. August Strand then discusses some of the changes that occurred at Oregon State during his presidency, including building repairs and the creation of a Faculty Senate. The session concludes with a conversation about how Dr. and Mrs. Strand feel about Oregon State University as it existed at the time of this interview.
August Strand was born on February 12, 1894 in Victoria, Texas. He later moved to Montana, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in entomology at Montana State College, before then going on to earn his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. He returned to Montana State College to work as a professor, serving in that position for six years before being appointed as the college’s president. In 1942, Strand and his family moved to Corvallis, where he had been hired as the new president of Oregon State College. He held that position until his retirement in 1961, and continued to live in Corvallis until he passed away on April 27, 1980, at age 86.
Mollie (Allen) Strand was born in Galway, Ireland on September 4, 1894. She studied Home Economics at Montana State College, where she met and, in 1919, married August Strand. The mother of three children, Mrs. Strand was central to many civic and social activities during her twenty years as First Lady of Oregon State College. She passed away in Corvallis on August 27, 1983.
Creator
August Strand and Mollie Strand
Source
Oregon Pioneers Oral History Collection (OH 01)
Publisher
Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Oregon State University Libraries
Date
ca. 1975
Format
Digitized Audiocassette
Language
English
Type
Oral History
Identifier
oh01-strand-august-and-mollie-1975
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Interviewer
Unidentified
Interviewee
August Strand and Mollie Strand
Location
Corvallis, Oregon
Original Format
Digitized Audiocassette
Duration
0:21:57
OHMS Object
Interview Format
audio