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Summary

Creator

Abstract

The Farmer's High School was created in 1855; it then became the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania, and then the Pennsylvania State College, at which time the School of Agriculture was established. It then became the College of Agriculture in 1953, and in 1992 was renamed the College of Agricultural Sciences. This collection documents the College of Agricultural Sciences' personnel and several of its related programs. Included are deans' meeting minutes, publications, correspondence, conference reports, course programs, personnel files, and media.

Dates

  • Creation: 1867-2011

Extent

147 Linear Feet

Background

Biographical / Historical

According to the charter of the Farmer's High School, established in 1855, the institution's purpose was 'to develop and adopt a system of instruction which shall embrace to the fullest extent possible, those departments of all sciences which have a practical or theoretical bearing upon agriculture and agricultural interests.' The Farmer's High School became the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania in response to the Morrill Land Grant Act, 1862. It was accepted as Pennsylvania's land grant institution in 1863, and became the Pennsylvania State College in 1874. At that time, the School of Agriculture was created, and in 1953,the School of Agriculture, became the College of Agriculture. In 1992, the college's name was changed to the College of Agricultural Sciences. It awarded the nation's first baccalaureate degree in agriculture in 1861. Today it is one of the nation's premier institutions for agricultural research and education. The college's mission as Pennsylvania's only land grant university has been from its inception to supply formal instruction, to conduct unbiased, objective research, and to provide public service through extension and outreach.

College of Agricultural Sciences Deans and Years Serving as Dean:

Henry Prentiss Armsby, 1895-1902 William A. Buckhout, 1902-1907 (acting) Thomas Forsyth Hunt, 1907-1912 Ralph L. Watts, 1912-1939 Stevenson Whitcomb Fletcher, 1939-1946 Lyman E. Jackson, 1946-1964 Russell E. Larson, 1964-1973 David R. McClay, 1973-1974 (acting) James M. Beattie, 1974-1982 Samuel H. Smith, 1982-1986 W. Wayne Hinish, 1986-1987 (acting) Lamartine F. Hood, 1987-1995 James L. Starling, 1995-1996 (acting) Robert D. Steele, 1996-2009 Bruce McPheron, 2009-2012 Barbara Christ, 2012-2012 (acting) Richard Roush, 2014-present

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the College of Agricultural Sciences' personnel and several of its related programs. Included are deans' meeting minutes, publications, correspondence, conference reports, course programs, personnel files, and media.

Physical Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Penn State University Libraries catalog via the link above. Archival collections may be housed in offsite storage. For materials stored offsite, please allow 2-3 business days for retrieval.

Processing Information

Processed by Special Collections staff.

Mae Casey minimally processed Accession 2023-0110 by arranging the photographic prints in two archival folders and updating the resource record.

Using These Materials

Repository Details

Part of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library Repository

Contact:
104 Paterno Library
Penn State University
University Park 16802 USA
(814) 865-1793

Conditions Governing Access

This collection contains university records which are restricted for a period of 20 years from the date of their creation, in accordance with University Policies AD35 and AD95. This collection contains university records which are subject to Pennsylvania State University’s Retention Schedule. In accordance with University Policies AD35 and AD95, all university personnel records are restricted for 72 years or until the death of the individual. This collection contains student records that are subject to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). In accordance with FERPA, all student records are restricted for a period of 75 years from the date of their creation.

Conditions Governing Use

Photocopies of original materials may be made available for research purposes at the discretion of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library. Photocopies or reproductions of original materials may be subject to fees as outlined by the Pennsylvania State University Libraries reproduction policies.

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Patrons seeking advice on the availability of unpublished materials for publication should consult relevant copyright law and laws of libel.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Pennsylvania State University, College of Agricultural Sciences records, 00045, Eberly Family Special Collections Library, Pennsylvania State University.

Title
Guide to the Pennsylvania State University, College of Agricultural Sciences records
Status
Published
Author
Prepared by Special Collections Library faculty/staff.
Date
2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 3/2013; 6/25/13; 7/17/13; 8/1/13; 8/20/13: NC imported Paul K's legacy changes.RD - Updated InventoryHS - additions to collection
  • 2019: AZ and PK update the inventory
  • 2019: As part of bulk updates, Lexy deGraffenreid updated Finding aid title, updated preferred citation, updated conditions governing access note, updated biographical/historical note for dean changes, added physical locations note, added description rules and resource type, added creator agent link, July 18, 2019