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Edmon Low Library
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Project History

An estimated 125 people were involved to a "substantial" degree in the production of the twenty-five Centennial History Project volumes during the ten and one-half years of the Project's existence. To that number can be added several hundreds of others who shared insights, information, and/or photographs. Deep appreciation is expressed to every person who contributed in any way.

In this history of the project, mention has been made by name of the key participants, including authors, editors members of the Centennial Committee, and members of OSU's Public Information Office, Agricultural Communications, and Communications Service Staffs. In addition, Philip R. Rulon contributed greatly. His volume, Oklahoma State University - Since 1890 (up to and including 1957), was the single most quoted source of information relative to OSU's first sixty-seven years of existence.

Heather M. Loyd, head of the Edmon Low Library Special Collection and University Archives at OSU, and her staff were of much assistance throughout the Project. Berlin B. Chapman, Professor throughout its period of preparation, and gave encouragement and suggestions.

His research on the early decades of Oklahoma A. and M. College was especially important. Kathryn K. Merrill, secretary, proved to be indispensable to the Project, especially during its final year of preparation. Her predecessor, Jeri Fortney, was also helpful. Cathren A. Williams, assistant to the Vice President Pool and later Vice President Birdwell, was of much help also. Gayle A. Hiner of Agricultural Communications made monumental contributions as the graphics designer for nineteen of the twenty-five volumes. Carol J. Dobson's services as typesetter for most of the volumes proved invaluable, as were those of Donetta L. Bantle who succeeded Dobson.

Several Authors called on faculty and staff colleagues for assistance, and most had research assistants, usually graduate students. Each author in the preface of his or her volume gave credit to the many who were helpful in various ways. Also, in the cases of colleagues who actually contributed considerably in the writing of volumes, acknowledgement of their contributions has been noted on title pages. As examples, Lorene Keeler-Battles in her volume Home Economics, adds: "With contributions from M. Marguerite Scruggs, Ph.D.," and "Special acknowledgement to Jean A. Shipman." Pauline W. Kopecky in her volume entitled Equal Opportunity indicates "Special acknowledgment to Carolyn G. Hanneman." Eric I. Williams in Veterinary Medicine includes: "With contributions from Dean Joseph W. Alexander, D.V.M., M.S.; Duane Peterson, D.V.M., M.S.; Sidney A. Ewing, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D.; and Dan E. Goodwin, D.V.M., Ph. D."

In International Programs, authored by Jerry L. Gill, the words "Special acknowledgment to Nestor C. Gonzales" are included. In Religious Programs, compiled by Kyle M. Yates, Jr., is added "With contributions from Kyle M. Yates, Jr., Theodore L. Agnew, Robert R. Price, Jan M. Carlson, Raymond E. Bivert, and Hyla S. Converse." Also joining James H. Boggs, who compiled copy for the volume entitled Governance, were Cynthia S. Ross, Eric I. Williams, Carol M. Olson, LeRoy H. Fischer, Ronald S. Beer, Patrick M. Murphy, Richard W. Poole, Dan S. Hobbs, and Robert R. Lawrence.

Dale E. Ross's contributions were many during the three years and seven months he coordinated the Centennial Decade and the Centennial Year activities, including the Centennial Histories Project. Although much was in place as a result of the efforts of Ross's predecessor, Richard W. Poole, much remained to be done.

There were the Centennial Decade events and activities of late 1987, 1988, and 1989 for which Ross had responsibility. It was the Centennial Year itself, however, which provided him the greatest opportunities to manifest his ability to manage well. In a year of celebration of the past, the present, and the future, dozens of special events occurred on OSU's main campus, as well as on its branch campuses. Of special note, U.S. President George Bush and former U.S. Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter spoke as parts of Centennial Year observances.

Ross was a strong supporter of the centennial Histories Project. In addition to the First Hundred Years book, he was most helpful with other volumes which were in production or published during his time of service. Deep appreciation is expressed to him. The OSU Centennial Year officially ended in December of 1990, although considerable activity continued for another three months. On March 31, 1991 the Centennial Office was closed and Ross returned to the OSU Foundation where he served prior to assuming his Centennial role in September 1987.

After the Centennial Office closed, some "loose ends" of the previous decade's activities remained. These included another fifteen to eighteen months of work to conclude the production of Project volumes, together with an anticipated several years of coordination and assistance in he marketing and distribution of volumes. Vice President Harry W. Birdwell, assisted by Ralph L. Hamilton, assumed responsibilities for these activities.

As director of the Centennial Histories Project, Kamm could not have asked for a finer, more able, and helpful associates in achieving the twenty-five volume Project than Poole, Ross, and Birdwell.

As true of the Project editors, each of the three men was "right" for the time served. All who had a part in the Project are deeply grateful for their deep interest and excellent support.

In some ways, the final years and months of the Project were the most difficult, for "time and funding were running out," and pressures were mounting to complete the Project. It is a tribute to editors and to other staff personnel that they were able to join with authors in successfully concluding the twenty-five volume effort.