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

CHAPTER 2
The Early Days
of the Forestry Club
A. EVERETT WIESLANDER
HE Forestry Club came about as a result of a course in Forest Insects
that was given during the fall semester of 1911. The instructor was John C.
Bridwell from Oregon State College at Corvallis. Among others enrolled in
this course were four would-be foresters: Joseph T. Saunders, Frank B.
Herbert, W. Powell Smidt, and A. Everett Wieslander. These four students
frequently met for "bull sessions" in a little room adjoining Bridwell's office
in the Entomology Building just west of Sather Gate. One day Smidt thumbtacked
to the outside oi the door a 3"x 5" card on which he had printed
"FORESTRY CLUB" in green ink. Bridwell happened by, saw the card,
opened the door, and remarked: "Seriously now, why don't you fellows organize
a club and try to get a forestry school started?"
Organization
The idea stuck. It was discussed on Bridwell's field trip to Redwood
Canyon, and later with Professor Jepson of the Botany Department. Jepson
agreed to help organize such a club. Professor E. B. Babcock and George A.
Coleman, an assistant in Entomology, gave encouragement. It was decided to
organize at the outset of the spring semester.
On January 26, 1912, the Daily Californian carried the following news
story:
"Originating among the students of the University interested in forestry,
a new college organization will take definite shape this afternoon at a meeting
which has been called for 4 o'clock in Room 13, Agriculture Building."
(Budd Hall).
Twenty-six students and four faculty members (Babcock, Bridwell,
Coleman, and Jepson) met that afternoon to organize the club. Russell T.
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