Monthly Archives: July 2014

It was a flood of finding aids in June!

“Sunday morning on top of the ‘Shack.'” Real photo postcard created for OAC student Edgar Pierce, ca. 1911-1913.

Another busy month for SCARC-ers with 11 finding aids completed or updated during June 2014. All are available through the NWDA finding aids database as well as on the SCARC website. MARC records for the collections are available through the OSU Libraries’ Catalog, Summit Navigator, and Worldcat.

This month’s batch consists of guides for five “new” collections that were received in 2013 or 2014, one maps collection, and three collections for which there was previously only minimal information available online. In addition, two existing finding aids were updated during June. As of June 30, 2014 the OSU Special Collections & Archives Research Center had 774 finding aids in NWDA.

Milagro (Miracle Theater Group) Records, 1966-2014 (MSS Milagro).

Masks in the “Applause!” exhibit.

This extensive collection documents the establishment and administration of Milagro, the premier Latino arts and culture program in the Northwest, as well as its educational programs and productions of Latina plays, music, and dance. The collection includes photographs, videotapes and DVDs, audiocassettes, and born-digital electronic records. A detailed list of the collection contents is part of the guide.

Fendall, Roger, Papers, 1953-1981 (MSS Fendall). These papers document Fendall’s role as Head Advisor in the School of Agriculture at Oregon State University and his coursework at North Dakota State University. Roger Kenneth Fendall earned a BS in Farm Crops from Oregon State College in 1960 and a Ph.D. in Agronomy from North Dakota State University in 1964. He joined the faculty of Oregon State in 1968 and held various administrative positions until his retirement in 1993.

Medhus, Sigurd D., Papers, 1947-1949 (MSS Medhus). The Medhus Papers document “Dewey” Medhus’ student years at Oregon State College from 1946 to 1950, especially his membership in the Delta Upsilon fraternity, activities as a yell leader and member of the rally squad, and military training in the Air Force ROTC summer camp at Hamilton Air Force Base. Medhus earned a BS in Business and Technology from Oregon State in 1950. The collections include 34 photographs, a yearbook from the 1949 ROTC summer camp, and a felt Oregon State pennant.

Rosenkoetter, Sharon E., Papers, 2002-2009 (MSS Rosenkoetter). These papers document Rosenkoetter’s research in early childhood development, especially transition planning between settings for children with special needs, and leadership development to promote quality services across early childhood agencies and disciplines. Sharon E. Rosenkoetter was an Associate Professor in Human Development and Family Sciences at Oregon State University from 1999 until her retirement in 2010.

Wang, Chih H., Papers, 1947-1984 (MSS Wang).

Description: Chih H. Wang posing on top of the TRIGA nuclear reactor, 1971.

The Wang Papers document Chih Wang’s career as a chemist and nuclear scientist, the founding and development of the Oregon State University (OSU) Radiation Center, and the growth of nuclear science research and training during the 1960s and 1970s at Oregon State. Wang was a faculty member in the OSU Chemistry Department, Director of the OSU Radiation Center, and Head of the Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering. This guide includes a folder-level list of the collection contents.

Early Topographical Maps of the Oregon Coast, 1868-1915 (MAPS CoastTopo).

Segment of a topographical map of the Oregon Coast from Yaquina Head to Cascade Head. Originally draw in 1887.

This collection of 5 maps document topographic surveys of the central Oregon coast conducted by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1868 and 1887 with updates added through the 1910s. The maps are high-quality reproductions.

Edmonston, George, Jr., Collection, 1907-2011 (MSS Edmonston).

The Edmonston Collection consists primarily of materials collected and generated by Edmonston over the course of his 19 years (1986-2005) as editor of the Oregon Stater alumni magazine, during which time he wrote dozens of articles on the history of Oregon State University. The collection includes almost 500 photographs and born-digital electronic records.

Fraternities and Sororities Photograph Collection, 1915-1989 (P 034).

Chi Omegas at the Inter-fraternity Council Sing practice, ca. 1960s. Barometer Photographs (P 035).

This collection of 51 photographs documents activities and events sponsored by Greek organizations at Oregon State University as well as various fraternity and sorority houses. The guide includes an item-level list with descriptions of individual images.

Student Activities Photograph Collection, 1910-1968 (P 045). These 35 photographs include images of Oregon State student groups and of students engages in a number of activities. Photographs of members and officers of Mortar Board, Blue Key, and the Dad’s Club are included in the collection. The guide includes an item-level list with descriptions of individual images.

Radiation Center Records, 1953-2008 (RG 202).

The Radiation Center Building soon after construction, 1964. President’s Office Photographs (P 092).

The Radiation Center Records document the creation and operation of the Oregon State University Radiation Center. The collection includes administrative correspondence; records of the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Center’s facilities and equipment; documentation of research conducted at the Center; and records of the day-to-day operations of the Center. Classes in nuclear physics and radiochemistry began in the early 1950s and, in 1955, a cyclotron was constructed. Funding was secured in 1962, and construction on the OSU Radiation Center began in early 1964. In early 1967, a 250 kilowatt research reactor was completed. The collection includes photographs, born-digital electronic records, and various forms of radiographs. This guide includes a folder-level list of the collection contents. This extensively updated guide incorporates a substantial addition that was received in 2013 as well as former separate collections for the Radiation Safety Department Records and Radiation Center Photographs. Separate finding aids for those two collections have been superseded by this new guide.

Student Affairs Moving Images, 1963-1992 (FV P 182). This guide has been updated to include additional information about the Paths with Proud Moments video and a link to it online: https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_6t3c757f. The video was created by the Indian Education Office in about 1992 for the purpose of recruiting Native American students to Oregon State University. The production includes footage of Native American undergraduate and graduate students describing their experiences at Oregon State; campus views; and scenes of students in classrooms, laboratories, and outdoor settings.

Field trip to Milam, or “the day I wore a plastic spring skirt”

Last week Karl McCreary and I took a morning trip to Milam Hall, former home of the College of Home Economics and soon-to-be former home of the School of Design and Human Environment.

Karl was there to go through MANY, MANY slide carousels of MANY, MANY slides used in classes. We found carousels dedicated to styles of the 60s, fur, undergarments, Polynesia, and the Victorian period.

I did manage to help transfer some to slide sleeves, but not before I took lots of pictures and put on a skirt decorated with MANY, MANY plastic springs.

We also found many other treasures in the room, most headed to the OSU Surplus Store.


Or to their “black hole temp.”

But also others that are priceless and headed our way, but I really hope that Karl nabs this glove-making kit!

The closing of the co-ops, the adding of some archives

With the closing of Avery Lodge, Azalea House, Oxford House, and Dixon Lodge in June 2014 our collections archivist Karl McCreary has been REALLY busy.

He brought in nearly 25 cubic feet of items, dating from the 1950s to 2014, mainly framed class pictures and photo albums with pictures that show all sorts of college hijinks… Here are few snaps I took of his back table — notice all the frames he had to take apart!

Determined to preserve their community for current and future students, a group of co-op residents and alumni have established the goal of starting a new off-campus co-op in Corvallis. Organizers of the newly formed Cooperative Housing Alumni Association are now seeking a dwelling for the soon-to-be-displaced students in an effort to continue the co-op tradition. In addition to the challenge of locating an appropriately large residence, procuring sufficient start-up funding is now of chief concern to the CHAA. With fundraising efforts underway, the Association hopes to secure a house and organize a new co-op by fall term of 2014. If successful, the formation of this new co-op would help protect and promote the co-op lifestyle for future generations of OSU students. CHAA is currently accepting donations to fund this important project.