The Chemistry Department Records document
the research and graduate programs in chemistry at Oregon State
University, primarily in the post-war period of the late 1940s to early
1960s, as well as building renovations and construction in the
1970s.
Repository:
Oregon State University
Libraries University
Archives
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.
Content Description
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.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation :
Chemistry Department Records (RG 098), Oregon State University
Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.
Administrative Information
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.
Acquisition Information :
Transferred from the Chemistry Department in several accessions from
1966 through 1997.
Future Additions :
Additions to the collection are expected.
Related Materials :
Additional materials pertaining to the Chemistry Department are
available in the
College
of Science Records (RG 024), the
Memorabilia
Collection, and the Chemistry and Pharmacy Department Records.
The
Chemistry
Department Motion Picture Films (FV P 205) include recordings of
the General Chemistry course taught via interinstitutional television in
1958-1959. The Archives collections also include the Otto Ballhorn
Chemistry Laboratory Notebook, the Harry Freund Collection, and the papers
of Joseph S. Butts and Robert W. Newburgh.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series I: General Subject File, 1937-1963
The General Subject File consists primarily of correspondence sent and
received by the department chairs (John Fulton, E.C. Gilbert, and B.E.
Christensen); much of the correspondence is with the F.A. Gilfillan, Dean
of the School of Science. The series also includes reports and statistics.
Topics include research activities, budgets, student enrollment, graduate
programs, and faculty.
Container(s)
Description
1937-1939
Reel
1
1: Chemistry Department
Statistics
1
2: Chemistry Building
Contract
1942-1947
Reel
1
1: Anti-malarial
research correspondence
1
2: ASTP
correspondence
1
3: Chemistry Department
correspondence
1945-1950
Reel
1
1: Forest Products
correspondence
1
2: Gifts to the
Department of Chemistry
1
3: General
correspondence
1
4: Board of Control
Oregon State
Communications
Reel
1
5: to the
staff
1-2
6: from the
staff
Correspondence
Reel
2
7: School of
Science
2
8: President's
Office
2
9: Information Analysis,
outside requests
2
10: A.B.
Scott
2
11: Dr. J.S.
Butts
2
12: W.E.
Caldwell
1946-1950
Reel
2
1: General
Correspondence
2
2: Office of Naval
Research U.S. Navy
2
3: Information and
Analysis
2
4: Personal - E.C.
Gilbert
2
5: President's Office
Dr. Strand
Communications
Reel
2
6: To and from
staff
2
7: To and from other
departments
2
8: Gifts to the
Department
2
9: Information
Analysis
2
10: Oregon State Civil
Defense Agency
2
11-14: School of Science
F.A. Gilfillan
2
15: Personal E.C.
Gilbert
2
16: Gifts to the
Department
2
17: Presidents Office
A.L. Strand
1950-1955
Reel
2
1: Interdepartmental
Correspondence, 1952-1953
2
2: Gifts to the
Department, 1950-1951
2
3: President's Office
A.L. Strand, 1950-1953
2
4: School of
Science, 1950-1955
2-3
5: E.C. Gilbert
Personal, 1950-1955
3
6: Graduate Assistance
Correspondence
1955-1963
Educational TV
Reel
3
1957-1958
3
1958-1959
3
1959-1960
3
1960-1961
Reel
3
5: Departmental
Seminars, 1962-1963
3
6: Gilfillan
Dinner
Planning
Committee
Reel
3
7: Minutes
3
8: Reports
Publications
Reel
3
1961
3
10: Staff
3
11: Department of
Chemistry and Exchanges from Other Colleges
Series II consists of research proposals and applications for graduate
fellowships; proposals to the National Science Foundation for research
projects and equipment purchases; and summaries of research being
conducted in the Chemistry Department.
Series III: National Science Foundation, 1958-1961
Series III includes announcements and publications issued by the
National Science Foundation (NSF) as well as correspondence with NSF
regarding research programs in chemistry at Oregon State.
Series IV provides information about graduate programs in the Chemistry
Department including degree requirements and curriculum; graduate
assistantships; and applications and inquiries from prospective graduate
students.
Series V: Building Renovation and Construction
Planning Records, 1970-1981
The Building Renovation and Construction Planning Records pertain to
the renovation of Gilbert Hall and the construction of the Gilbert
Addition and include meeting minutes for various building committees,
proposals, students, program descriptions, reports, correspondence, and
dedication materials. All files include correspondence.
Container(s)
Description
Box
1
Space Requests Design Literature Space
Requirements Committee, 1968-1970
1
Minutes of New Building Committee
Planning Records Reports, 1969-1974
The Promotional Materials consist of a booklet for prospective graduate
students about the Chemistry Department graduate and research programs
that includes profiles of all faculty.
