Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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UNIVERSITY HISTORY Some residents of Waldo Mall gather ost7 Ph‘ 0 .J6 in front of the dorm in the late 1920‘s. Corvallis College: The Birth of Oregon State University More than 100 years have passed since the birth of Oregon State University. Many name changes have taken place since its beginning in 1858, when it was known simply as Corvallis College. Corvallis College was originated by a group of citizens wanting to better the education currently offered only at primary and “high school levels offered at the Corvallis Academy, which was conducted by supporters of the Baptist Church. The trustees chartered Corvallis College on January 20, 1858. The men that originated Corvallis College sought “no religious affiliation, and no organic relation to any earlier school. Construction of a two story Corvallis College building began in 1858 on Fifth street between Madison and Monroe Avenues. The estimated cost of the project was $5,000 and was completed in 1859. Due to financial difficulties, the building and land of Corvallis College was sold at a sheriffs’ auction to satisfy a mechanic's lien. Reverend Orceneth Fisher, an agent of California Southern Methodists, purchased the land and building for $4,500. The college reopened in November of I860, with Reverend W.M. Culp as principal. In 1865, the ownership and control of Corvallis College was granted to the Columbia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. That same year Reverend William A. Finley, A.M., D.D. was appointed the first president of Corvallis College. Finally, a Collegiate Department offering a four year, college level, liberal arts curriculum was added to the prior departments of the College. These changes led to the beginning of one of the west coast's finest universities. «• Jennifer Phelps • u N I V E R SITY 1894 1994 M I S TORY 25

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Students of Corvallis College gather in front of the campus. This building was the built in the late 1800‘s on today's Madison Avenue and Fifth Street. OSU Archives photo Students harvest hay in the fields behind campus. Fairbanks hall appears in the background. Construction work used the power of horses for the building of Shepard Hall in 1908. OSU Archives photo OSU Archives photo P90 S9 24 •UNIVERSITY HISTORY 1894 1994

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The presence of the military McAlexander: OAC's military hero As a boy in Minnesota, Ulysses Grant McAlexander heard of West Point and thought that it was the place where he wanted to go to school. As a youth this ambition was still rife, and when, by the purest accident, our present commandant received an appointment to the United States military academy he was not slow to accept it, leaving the University of Kansas, where he then was. He graduated from the United States Military academy in 1887. During the next four years the young lieutenant saw active service on two occasions, during the summer of 1889 and the winter of 1890-91 against the Sioux Indians. During the Spanish American War's Battle of Santiago, that his work won for him the recommendation for a majority because of “conspicuous gallantry in battle. In March of 1899. he was promoted to captain in the Thirteenth Infantry, in which regiment he was adjunct for four years. Captain McAlexander also served two tours of duty in the Philippine Islands. After the Phillipine tour, he was designated as inspector of military departments in colleges in 1907. this is how we first had the pleasure of seeing him and of making his acquaintance. Soon our friend and advisor will be wearing the gold leaf instead of the two bars,” and we congratulate you, Captain McAlexander. R.K. Brodie ‘08 The Orange 1910 OSU Archivts photo ’The Rock of the Marne. or better known as Ulysses Grant McAlexander commandant of the cadets at Oregon Agricultural College. • M I. I T A R Y 1894 19 W 26 I