HISTORY DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY 1H E OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY Department of Zoology A History b Ernst I. Dornfeld a i id Charles E. King Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon 1989 Foreword As the Department of Zoology at Oregon State University approached its 100th birth- day, it occurred to me that it was time to update the excellent History which had been completed by ErnstI.Dornfeld in 1966. For most of the time since Ernst's retirement in 1976 the department had been chaired by Charles E. King, and he appeared to be the most appropriate person to undertake this task. This was begun in the fall of 1988, and the resulting extended version of our history is what fills the following pages. History buffs should know that this version omits some material included in the 1966 edition, but the omissions are minor. Copies of both publications might be sought through the department, the College of Science, the Department of Archives at OSU, or the main library on campus. As we go to press, we feel that we are in an era of change in the State System of Higher Education, and we are uncertain as to the extent to which such change will affect us. Only time will tell, and therein lies the value of books such as this one. We hope you will discover within it all you hope to find, and more. Christopher J. Bayne Chairperson Department of Zoology July 1989 Contents Part 1,1889-1966. 1 Part II, 1967- 1988 ............................................................... 13 Appendices IFaculty (1889-1988) ................................................ 25 IIAssociated Faculty ................................................. 28 III Graduate Degrees in Zoology ............................. 30 IV Chairpersons of the Department of Zoology . ..36 Part I. 1889- 1966 by Ernst J. Dornfeld Corvallis College offered the first college-level curriculum about 1865 when the Rev. W. A. Finley became its president. Before this time, beginning with the incorporation of the college in 1858, the program of studies was that of a pre- paratory academy. The faculty of the collegiate division consisted of the Rev. W. A. Finley, A.M., President and Professor of Languages, and the Rev. Joseph Emery, Professor of Mathematics. The 1867-68 annual catalog of the college shows that first-term freshmen included in their course of study the subject of physiology, taught by Prof. Emery. In 1868 Corvallis College became the Agricul- tural College of the State, and Prof. Emery intro- duced first-term sophomores to a course entitled General Principles of Zoology, using Agassiz' textbook. The physiology and zoology courses Professor Ernst J. Dornfeld, Chairman, were part of the required "general curriculum"; in Depart,nent of Zoology, 1952-76 (photo, 1972). 1870 a course in entomology was added for the "agricultural curriculum." In this year the college acquired a 35-acre farm, which is now part of the zoology and entomology. Shortly, however, the present campus. Classroom instruction, however, latter were transferred to the tutelage of W. N. took place in a building near 5th and Madison Hull, A.M., Professor of Physiology and Drawing Streets, which served this purpose until 1889. (sic!). A similar oddity was the title of W. W. Under the new presidency of B. L. Arnold, Bristow, A.B., Professor of Book-Keeping and Bee A.M., in 1872, biological instruction was organ- Culture.The character of Prof. Hull's courses ized under the "School of Physics," and the 1872- can be gleaned from the following catalog de- 73 catalog describes the area as follows: scriptions (1888-89): "Here come to be considered the general principles "Physiology: The best method of studying the of life on its physical side. Vegetable and Mineral human body is undoubtedly by clinique, but since Physiology, Botany, Zoology. Text Books - Huxley, this is not possible except in medical schools, the Carpenter, Gray or Wood, Agassiz. The more im- next in excellence is by drawing and coloring. Every portant principles will be demonstrated by micro- student draws the vital parts of the body upon the scope. We hope to have a Spectroscope this year, blackboard, generally natural size, and recites from his own drawings. The value of this display power when spectroscopic analysis will be taught." and this sight knowledge cannot be overestimated. Apparently the spectroscope did not material- ize as expected, for the "we hope to have..." "Zoology:Here, again, when the animal forms statement appears in successive catalogs until cannot be secured, the graphic art is invaluable. 1876! Moreover, the courses in zoology, as well as Every student becomes a taxidermist, and therefore those in mineralogy and geology, remained in the possesses the power of preserving many valuable versatile hands of Prof. Emery until 1882. specimens. Insect and animal life in their relation to vegetableor plant life, particularly where they benefit In 1883 Edgar Grim, A.B., was appointed or destroy, should be generally studied." Professor of Chemistry and Agriculture, and succeeded Emery-jp charge of the courses in The year 1889 saw the removal of instruction I .-1-- College Hall (now Bent on Hall), the first b,,ildi,i,'oji the present campus, completed 1888. Zoology occupied one, later two rooms on the third floor, 1889-1902. PhotocourstesyofUniversity Archives. tI_ : il\ Laboratory and M useuni oft/ic Department ofZoology and Entomology in College ofUniversity Archives. Hall, 1893. Photo courtesy 2 from the original college building at 5th and and several courses in applied zoology and Madison Streets to the new and first building on applied entomology. Cordley saw to the enlarge- the present campus, the historic structure that is ment of the department staff, adding a succession now Benton Hall. of assistants and instructors. Included in the latter "The college building is new and commodious, were Fred M. McElfresh (1899-1901), William T. and is unsurpassed for beauty of situation." At Shaw (1901-07), John C. Bridwell (1907-1 0), Fred L. the same time, a Department of Zoology and Griffin (1908-1 0), Alice L. Edwards (191 0-16), and Entomology was organized, and placed in charge George F. Sykes (1910-21). Shaw prepared a large of Prof. F. L. Washburn, A.B. (Harvard), who was collection of mounted birds which is now in the also made first Entomologist of the Agricultural Homer Museum. Prof. Cordley was an entomolo- Experiment Station. The department quarters gist, and it was perhaps not accidental that this consisted of a single room which served as class- interest dominated the work of the department. room, laboratory, and museum, and was situated Thus, Harley Frost Wilson, who later became head on the third floor; another room was added a little of the entomology department at Wisconsin, was later. Prof. Washburn taught three courses: appointed assistant professor in 1911. General Zoology, Physiology, and Economic In 1902 the Department of Zoology and Ento- Entomology; in 1893 he added, as electives, mology was moved from its cramped two-room Comparative Anatomy, and Economic Ornithol- quarters in the Administration Building (Benton ogy. Prof. Hull's approach was materially modi- Hall) to the newly completed Agriculture Hall fled: (now Education Hall), which was built at a cost of $42,000. The department was installed on the "In General Zoology the student learns, by compar- third floor, where it occupied seven rooms (office, ing the structure of animals, the principles of classi- fication, familiarizes himself or herself with the life entomology research laboratory, student labora- histories of many, paying special attention to those tory, general laboratory, lecture room, storeroom, animals of economic importance. By drawing speci- and photographic darkroom); the fourth floor mens in the laboratory and writing original descrip- housed the museum. tions of the same, the student is trained to independ- When the School of Agriculture was established ent observation and thought. Textbook: Orton's in 1908, with Prof. Cordley as its first Dean, the Comparative Zoology. Department of Zoology and Entomology became a part of this unit. "In Physiology each student dissects in the labora- A third move took place in 1910, when the tory a typical mammal in order to get a general idea present Agriculture Hall (center unit) was com- of mammalian anatomy, and to better understand pleted. Again, the third floor seemed an appropri- references in textbooks. Drawings of these dissec- ate location, and nine rooms were made available tions are required. Laboratory work further consists (two offices, research laboratory for entomology, of demonstrations illustrating circulation of the physiology laboratory, general zoology laboratory, blood, composition of the blood, mechanism and chemistry of respiration, optical phenomena, reflex two lecture rooms, vault, and photographic action, etc., and the study of tissues with a micro- darkroom). The museum remained in its previous scope. Textbook: Martin's Human Body." quarters on the fourth floor of what was now renamed Science Hall (present Education Hall). Washburn served as Professor of Zoology and In 1914, a separate Department of Entomology Entomology until 1895, when he became Professor was established, and George F. Sykes, M.A. of Biology at the University of Oregon and subse- (Brown), was made Professor and Head of the quently (1902) State Entomologist of Minnesota. Department of Zoology and Physiology. During He was succeeded in the fall of 1895 by Arthur his administration there were the following Burton Cordley, B.S. (Mich. State), who in 1908 appointments to the faculty: Irving H. Blake (1913- also became the first Dean of the School of Agri- 16), Asa Chandler (1914-19), Elizabeth R. Cole culture. Under Cordley's head ship, which ex- (1915-16), Charlotte N. Hurd (1916-19), Howard tended to 1914, the course offerings of the depart- M. Wight (191 6-27), Aravilla Taylor (1920-21), and ment were expanded to include the following: Nathan Fasten (1920-44).