Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-03-05
A MISSIONARY
TO THE FARMERS
That Is What Sunset Magazine Calls
President Kerr Of Oregon Ag-
ricultural College.

oregon AglCultural COlleSe. Ihat is
what the March Sunset Magazine says
Of o. A. c. 1t goes on to pay num-
ber of handsome compliments to the
institution and to its head, President
W. j. Kerr. Frances A. Croft, author
OF the article, says the college is
practical, applies science to every
day life. Extends its benefits to young
and old. Goes to those who cannot
come to it. Is now fulfilling the dual
purpose of land-grant colleges to in
crease the productive capacity of the
farm and give to the masses Of the
people a liberal, thorough, practical
education
"Animating principle Of Oregon Ag-
ricultural College - william Jasper
Kerr, from Utah. Well born. Edu-
Gated at University of Utah and Cor
nell. At twenty-nine president of
Brigham Young College. President
Utah Agricultural College 19OO-10O7
Abandoned most promising career in
Utah for convictions sake. Brought
family to Oregon. Was offered and
accepted presidency at Corvallis, sac
rificing great business opportunity for
love Of educational work. Great eX-
ecutive. Powerful mind. Ready for
emergencies. Insists on thorough
work. Annoyed by laXity and mat
tention. Keeps everybody to the line.
Considers that good college house
keeping Is blessed with clear vision
Of relation of type of land-grant in
stitutions to activities of the soil. Con-
verted lukewarm press to enthus-
iasm by bringing his business capac-
ity to bear on Oregon's agricultural
problems Commands earnest endeav-
or Of students, loyalty of staff, sup
port of regents, confidence of people.
Straightforward. Firm, yet sympat-
thetic. Combines masculine decision
with intuition A constructor and an
adapter. Builds with materials at
hand. In person, tall, slender, of com
manding presence. Man of extensive
financial interests. Educator of ma
tional reputation. In 19O9-191O pres
ident Association American Agricul-
tural colleges and experiment sta
tions; vice-president National Educa.
tional Association; member executive
committee international Dry Farming
Congress.
"It is over five years since Presi-
dent Kerr found Corvallis in a Rir
Van Wrinkle slumber. He aroused the
students, swept out the cobwebs, kept
the faculty, re-enthused incumbents
made live additions Effected close
specialization and close administra'
tlon by grouping work into schools
under deans who consult with him as
to policies. Established rule presi
dent not TO do one stroke possible
to subordinates. Abolished hazing
Frowned down snobbishness. En-
couraged democracy Lifted college
out of politics. Put It on business
basis, Secured appropriations fol
splendid new buildings, remodelet
old. Introduced modern scientific
equipment. Multiplied attendance
Raised military standing to one Of the
three best military schools in coun
try. Advanced entrance requirement:
to degree courses one year. Founded
elementary vocational courses in ag
riculture, forestry, mechanic arts, do
nestle science and arts, and com
merce. Revised and enriched curric
ulum, removing reproach that Oregon
| Agricultural College was agriculture
in name only
Corvallis now offers degree courses
in agriculture Gncluding agronomy
animal husbandry, dairy husbandry
agricultural chemistry, bacteriology
entomology, forestry, domestic scienc,
and arO mechanical engineering
electrical engineering mining engin
eering, civil engineering; commerce
pharmacy. Places not only await IL
graduates, but men with degrees iron
universities come to II for special vo
cational training. The standards o
Oregon Agricultural College are pro
gressive and fully in accord with tn
best Of similar institutions. In som
respects II leads. II Is the only on
of its kind emphasizing difrerentia
tion in business methods in the va
rlous industrial vocations Specia
stress Is laid on agricultural account
ing and administration TO the end tina
each dairy COW in Oregon shall ear
, her keep or 80 the way of beef tina
, every hen shall do her noblest or b
, cast into the oven; that the Gro
, bringing in the greatest return in d
versified farming shall gradually re
place the Others; that the value {
; modern machinery and methods, Sc
7 lected seed, and 30 on, sball be full
demonstrated in black and white. Tn