Historical Note
On March 6, 1961, Governor Mark Hatfield signed into law the
legislative act which changed the name of the institution from Oregon
State College to Oregon State University. A.L. Strand served as president
of Oregon State from 1942 until his retirement in 1961.
Robert W. MacVicar came to Oregon State University in 1970 and served
as the University President from then until his retirement in 1984. He was
followed as President by John V. Byrne who served for 11 years until the
end of 1995. Byrne's OSU career began in 1960 as faculty member in the
Oceanography Department. He became the first Dean of the School of
Oceanography in 1972 and subsequently served as Dean of Research, Acting
Dean of the Graduate School, and Vice President for Research and Greaduate
Studies between 1976 and 1981. He left OSU in 1981 to head the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a position he held until he
returned to OSU in 1984.
Content Description
The President's Office Motion Picture Film and Videotapes consist of
recordings of special events and speeches at Oregon State University. The
collection includes 7 videotapes (2 VHS and 5 3/4" Umatic) and one motion
picture film (16 mm).
The motion picture was filmed on March 6, 1961 at the signing by Oregon
Governor Mark Hatfield of the legislative bill that changed the name of
Oregon State from "College" to "University" [FV P092:4]. The b/w film
(about 4 minutes with sound) includes statements by Hatfield and OSU
President A.L. Strand. The footage also includes a statement by Strand on
OSU's continuing role as the "agricultural" college of Oregon. A VHS use
copy of the film is available in the Archives.
The videotapes include recordings of the retirement reception for
Robert W. MacVicar on October 31, 1984 (one 20-min 3/4" Umatic tape) and
his retirement dinner on November 17th (two 60-min 3/4" Umatic tapes) [FV
P092:1-3]. A video tribute to John Byrne prepared for his retirement
celebration in early 1996 is included. The 8-minute video was prepared by
Lynn Ketchum of Extension and Experiment Station Communications. The
collection includes two 3/4" Umatic SP videotapes [FV P092:6].
The collection includes a VHS videotape recording of President John
Byrne's report to the Faculty Senate on February 4, 1993 about the
proposed reorganization of the central administration following a review
of administrative costs and structure during 1992 [FV P092:5]. The
recording is 33 minutes long and was made by the Communication Media
Center. The second VHS videotape documents damage to campus sidewalks and
structures caused by skateboards; it was used at hearings held by the
Legal Advisor for proposed campus regulations on skateboard use. The
recording was made in 1990.