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Title: Florence Gradon Scrapbook, 1920-1926

ID: MSS Gradon

Primary Creator: Gradon, Florence

Extent: 0.45 cubic feet. More info below.

Date Acquired: 00/00/2005

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

The Florence Gradon Scrapbook was assembled by alumna Florence Gradon and is comprised of materials that document her student experience at Oregon Agricultural College. Gradon graduated from OAC in 1924 with a degree in home economics.

The Florence Gradon Scrapbook was assembled by alumna Florence Gradon and is comprised of materials that document her student experience at Oregon Agricultural College. The scrapbook contains correspondence, dance cards, event programs, greeting cards, newspaper clippings, photographs, ticket stubs, and a green "rookess" ribbon. These items reflect Gradon's participation in campus events, off-campus excursions with classmates, and work as a member of the Daily Barometer newspaper staff.

Born in 1902 and raised in Portland, Oregon, Florence Gradon attended Oregon Agricultural College from 1920 to 1924, graduating with a degree in Home Economics. During her time as a student, Gradon was active in a number of campus organizations, committees, and honorary societies. These groups included the Omicron Nu Honorary Society, the Board of Control (student representative), the Women's Council, the Scribe, and the Citation Committee. Gradon also served in student government as Second Vice President and worked on the staff of the Daily Barometer newspaper. She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. After graduation, Gradon spent a year teaching high school home economics on Vashon Island, Washington. Returning to Portland, Gradon then worked for a local newspaper, The Portland Telegram, as Home Economics Editor. In 1928, Gradon married fellow alumnus Louis B. Ragen. Together the couple raised a daughter, Janis, and two sons, Brooks and Ronnie. Throughout her life, Florence remained active in the Oregon State University Alumni Association. She died in 1986.

Author: Karl McCreary

More Extent Information: 2 boxes, including 1 oversize box

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: This scrapbook was transferred to the University Archives by the OSU Alumni Association in 2005.

Related Materials: The Special Collections and Archives has other scrapbooks assembled by students that document their experience at Oregon Agricultural College during the 1920s. These include: the Ruby Stafrin Irwin Scrapbook (MSS Irwin);  Frederick V. Betts Scrapbook (MSS Betts); the Effie L. Wagner Scrapbook of the Women's Debate Tour of 1928 (MSS WagnerEffie); the Activities of Women Scrapbook (MSS ActivitiesWomen); Spike Sisters Scrapbooks (MSS Spike); and the Charles Burton Winne Scrapbooks (MSS Winne).

Preferred Citation: Florence Gradon Scrapbook (MSS Gradon), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Processing Information: This finding aid was prepared under remote working conditions in 2020 without access to the original scrapbook; consequently the number of photographs in the scrapbook could not be determined by the finding aid author and is not included in this finding aid.

Finding Aid Revision History: This finding aid replaces information about the collection that was placed online in 2012.

Gradon, Florence

College student newspapers and periodicals--Oregon--Corvallis.
Gradon, Florence
Oregon Agricultural College--Alumni and alumnae.
Student activities--Oregon--Corvallis.
University History
Women--Education (Higher)--Oregon--Corvallis.

Dance cards.
Photographic prints.
Scrapbooks.