By Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Nielsen.
Title: Chemistry Department Records, 1937-1997
Predominant Dates: 1945-1981
ID: RG 098
Primary Creator: Oregon State University. Department of Chemistry
Extent: 4.0 . More info below.
Arrangement: The records consist of 6 series: I. General Subject File, 1937-1963; II. Research, 1958-1962; III. National Science Foundation, 1958-1961; IV. Graduate School, 1945-1961; V. Building Renovation and Construction Planning Records, 1970-1981; and VI. Promotional Materials, 1997.
Languages of Materials: English [eng]
The Chemistry Department Records document the research and graduate programs of the department. Series I-IV consist of microfilmed records, primarily from the post-war period of the late 1940s to early 1960s. Of particular note are extensive correspondence between the department chair and the Dean of the School of Science, F.A. Gilfillan; materials pertaining to the department's use of educational television for teaching general chemistry courses; research proposals and summaries of research projects; and records of the department's graduate program.
The paper records consist predominantly of building renovation and construction planning records for major renovations to Gilbert Hall and the construction of the Gilbert Addition. A 1997 booklet for prospective graduate students includes profiles of all department faculty.
The publications were issued in 1955-1997 and include lists of research publications and alumni newsletters. The lists of research publications provide an annual compilation of journal articles and books published by department faculty for 1954-1955 through 1968-1969. Beginning with the 1965-1966 list, citations are grouped by discipline. The collection does not include lists for all years in this time span. The alumni newsletters were published annually in 1982-1997. The newsletters include a message from the department chair, alumni news, profiles of new or retiring faculty, awards, and summaries of research.
Chemistry courses have been taught at Oregon State University since the earliest years of the institution; the first doctoral degree in Chemistry was awarded in 1935. A Chemistry Building (later named Gilbert Hall for Earl C. Gilbert) was constructed in 1939; it was extensively renovated and the Gilbert Addition was constructed in 1981.
John Fulton was department head from 1907 until 1940, when Earl C. Gilbert, who had been on the faculty since 1917 was appointed head. Bert Christensen followed Gilbert as Department Head in 1956.
Oregon State College was one of the first institutions to offer a chemistry course by television and to broadcast a course to students at several institutions simultaneously.
Accruals: Additions to the collection are expected.
More Extent Information: 1 box; 4 microfilm reels
Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.
Acquisition Note: Transferred from the Chemistry Department in several accessions from 1966 through 1997.
Related Materials: Additional materials pertaining to the Chemistry Department are available in the College of Science Records (RG 024), the OSU Memorabilia Collection (MSS MC), and the College of Pharmacy Records (RG 105). The Chemistry Department Motion Picture Films (FV 205) include recordings of the General Chemistry course taught via interinstitutional television in 1958-1959. The Special Collections and Archives Research Center collections also include the Otto Ballhorn Chemistry Laboratory Notebook (MSS Ballhorn), the Harry Freund Collection (MSS Freund), the Joseph S. Butts Papers (MSS Butts), and the Robert W. Newburgh Papers (MSS Newburgh).
Preferred Citation: Chemistry Department Records (RG 098), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
Oregon State University. Department of Chemistry
Christensen, Bert Einar (1904-)
Fulton, John (1868-1953)
Gilbert, Earl C.
Gilfillan, F. A. (Francois Archibald) (1893-1983)
Oregon State College. Department of Chemistry
Chemistry--Research--Oregon.
Chemistry--Study and teaching (Higher)--Oregon.
College buildings--Oregon--Corvallis.
History of Science
National Science Foundation (U.S.)
Oregon State College--Graduate students.
Oregon State College. Department of Chemistry
Oregon State College. School of Science
Oregon State University--Buildings
Oregon State University--Faculty.
Oregon State University--Graduate students.
Oregon State University. Department of Chemistry
Oregon State University. School of Science
Research grants--Oregon.
Television in higher education--Oregon.
University History