Presidents of Oregon State University Photographic Collection, circa 1865-1999

Title: Presidents of Oregon State University Photographic Collection, circa 1865-1999

Predominant Dates: 1910-1970

ID: P 001

Primary Creator: Zwahlen, Fred C. (1924-)

Extent: 0.5 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement:

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).

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

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.

Images from this collection have been digitized and are available in Oregon Digital.

Scope and Content Notes

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.

Images from this collection have been digitized and are available in Oregon Digital.

Biographical / Historical Notes

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.

Administrative Information

Accruals: Additions to the collection are expected.

More Extent Information: 300 prints, 7 film negatives, 6 slides, and 1 oil painting ; 4 boxes, include 3 oversize boxes

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Related Materials:

Other photographic collections containing substantial numbers of presidential photos include Harriet's Photograph Collection (P HC), Alumni Relations Photographs (P 017), Oregon State University Historical Photographs (P 025), Faculty and Staff Photograph Collection (P 046), News and Communication Services Photograph Collection (P 057), Gwil Evans Photographic Collection (P 082), President's Office Photographs (P 092), Robert W. Henderson Photograph Collection (P 098), and the Extension and Experiment Station Communications Photograph Collection (P 120).

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

See also: the OSU Presidents Online Exhibit, featuring images and biographical sketches of OSU presidents from 1865 to the present.

Preferred Citation: Presidents of Oregon State University Photographic Collection (P 001), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Creators

People, Places, and Topics

Arnold, Benjamin L. (Benjamin Lea), 1839-1892
Ballard, Frank L. (Frank Llewellyn), 1891-1971.
Bloss, John M. (John McKnight), 1839-1905
Byrne, John Vincent, 1928-
College presidents--Oregon--Corvallis.
Finley, W. A. (William Asa), 1839-1912
Gatch, Thomas M. (Thomas Milton), 1833-1913
Jensen, James H.
Kerr, William Jasper, 1863-1947
Letcher, John D. (John Davidson), 1853-1938
MacVicar, Robert William, 1918-
Miller, Henry B., 1854-1921.
Oregon State University
Peavy, George Wilcox, 1869-1951
Risser, Paul G.
Strand, A. L. (August Leroy), 1894-
University History
Young, Roy A. (Roy Alton), 1921-