forestry school in the United States. - ScholarsArchive at Oregon ...

The Beginnings
Stubenrauch
Professor Arnold V. Stubenrauch was closely associated with Shinn in
the work of the field stations, including tree planting. When Shinn left in
1902 to become head ranger of the Sierra Forest Reserve, Stubenrauch filled
the vacancy. The University president's report for 1902-04 mentioned
Stubenrauch's planting experiments with promising eucalyptus at the Santa
Monica station. Knowledge gained from work in the forestry stations and
from working with Shinn qualified Stubenrauch to participate with Jepson
in the summer forestry lectures in 1903.
Wickson
Edward J. Wickson, who had begun with the University in 1879 as
lecturer in practical agriculture, in 1905 succeeded Hilgard as dean of agriculture
and in 1907 as director of the Experiment Station. He became greatly
interested and well-informed in forestry, perhaps from close association with
Hilgard and Shinn. Wickson's association with the Pacific Ru.ral Press had
begun in 1875 and, for a number of years, he was the assistant editor with
the title "special contributor." In 1898, he became the editor with the title
"horticultural editor." This weekly paper had, in 1898, an average circulation
of 8,856. By 1899, Wickson had become a most articulate advocate for
forestry. The Press's index for a six-month period in 1899 lists articles or
news items on forestry and forestry education under 13 headings. Wickson
had written the knowledgeable editorial on forestry education of the November
11, 1899 issue immediately after Wheeler's inaugural. It included a
suggestion for beginning small at little cost. All that was needed at the outset
was a single addition to the faculty, a chair of forestry. The suggestion went
unheeded, but it remained in Wickson's mind and he brought it up again
after becoming dean.
Jepson
Willis Linn Jepson received his PhB from Berkeley in 1889 and began
teaching botany in 1891. Emanuel Fritz, his close friend and confidant,
wrote, "Dr. Jepson played an important role in forest conservation in California
since the turn of the century. [He] . . . was detailed by. . . Wheeler
to attend various forest conservation meetings as official delegate. He thus
became acquainted with Pinchot, Fernow, Shinn, Lukens and others of the
early forestry pioneers."21 Later Jepson was to have an important part in
the organization and activities of a student forestry club.
Wheeler
Although Wheeler had said in his inaugural address that a forestry
school was an "instant need", he also pointed out that "the growth of the
student body in 10 years. . . from 306 to 1665 has taxed the ability and
resource of the regents." He knew the money for forestry would be difficult
1Clifor,i Forrster, April, 1947, p. 71.
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