History

120 years of Forestry Excellence

The history of the OSU College of Forestry begins in 1896, when Oregon Agricultural College (OAC), now OSU, offered its first forestry course. Ten years later in 1906, the university launched a full four-year degree program in forestry, graduating its first class of four trailblazing students.
Forestry was elevated to school status in 1913. George W. Peavy was appointed as the first dean and would serve for almost thirty years, laying the foundation for what would become a nationally recognized forestry institution.

Dean Peavy championed the expansion of both academic and field-based forestry education. In the 1920s, the college began acquiring land for teaching and research, leading to the formation of what is now the McDonald-Dunn Research Forest.
Graduate programs were introduced in 1921, and a Ph.D. program followed in 1959. The first female forestry student graduated from the school in 1945.
The college’s research capabilities were enhanced with the creation of the Forest Research Laboratory in 1941, later integrated into OSU’s statewide research enterprise in 1961.

As forestry science evolved, so did OSU’s programs. The curriculum expanded to include ecology, recreation, forest soils, and genetics. In 1976, the Department of Forest Science was created, and in 1983, the School of Forestry was officially elevated to the College of Forestry.

The college’s research expanded further in the 1990s with the creation of the Fish and Wildlife Habitat in Managed Forests Research Program. It also strengthened its role in long-term ecological study through co-management of the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, a renowned ecological research site since 1948.
In 1999, Richardson Hall, a forestry research and teaching facility, was built. The building was named in honor of Kaye Richardson, who donated $23.7 million toward the construction.
In 2009, the college celebrated its centennial and was recognized as the #1 forestry program in North America for total scientific publications and citations.
In 2020, the college expanded the Oregon Forest Science Complex with the completion of the Peavy Forest Science Center and the A.A. “Red” Emmerson Advanced Wood Products Laboratory — state-of-the-art facilities that integrate research, education, and industry collaboration in sustainable forest management and advanced wood products innovation.
Today, the OSU College of Forestry manages over 18,000 acres of research forests, is an established leader in sustainability and natural resources education and engages communities through Extension and outreach.