Purdue University. College of Agriculture
Historical Information
As a land-grant university, a central part of Purdue’s mission is providing students with an adequate agricultural education. Courses in agriculture originated with the first classes taught at the university in 1874, but it wasn’t until 1878 that the School of Agriculture was established. In 2004, the school was renamed to the College of Agriculture.
Since its inception, the purpose of the Purdue University College of Agriculture has been to teach the theoretical and practical elements necessary for careers in agriculture and horticulture. Purdue’s investments in student and faculty resources caused the College of Agriculture to grow in graduates and geographic extent throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. By 2023, usnews.com ranked Purdue’s College of Agriculture eighth in the nation, with approximately 2,750 undergraduates enrolled and 20 agricultural research facilities.
Citation:
Board of Trustees minutes, 1878 Oct. 21, BOTM18781021, Board of Trustees Minutes, Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries, 4. https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/bot/id/20191/rec/1Citation:
Board of Trustees Minutes, 2004 Nov. 19, BOTM20041119SM, Board of Trustees Minutes, Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries, 25. https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/bot/id/31145/rec/1127Citation:
“Research Facilities,” College of Agriculture, Purdue University, Accessed June 20, 2024. https://ag.purdue.edu/department/arge/facilities-and-research/research-facilities.htmlCitation:
“Student Enrollment, Fall 2023,” Undergraduate Admissions, Purdue University, Accessed June 20, 2024. https://admissions.purdue.edu/academics/enrollment.phpFound in 10 Collections and/or Records:
John Cleland papers
Collection of Agricultural publications
College of Agriculture, Administration of the College of Agriculture records
The College of Agriculture, Administration of the College of Agriculture, Records (1869-2009; 124.95 cubic feet) consists of administrative books, correspondence, financial records, faculty minutes, reports, and other materials relating to the administration of Purdue University’s School of Agriculture.
College of Agriculture, Agricultural Fraternities, Societies, and Associations records
College of Agriculture, Department of Botany & Plant Pathology, records
The College of Agriculture, Department of Botany & Plant Pathology Records (1918-1984; 1.4 cubic feet) consists of correspondence (1937-1950), applicant materials (1910s-1930s), two reports for the academic years 1981/82 and 1983/84, and other materials.
College of Agriculture Department of Entomology records
The College of Agriculture Department of Entomology records (1931-1993) consists of correspondence (1940-1949), Experiment Station Reports (1931-1945), and other materials (circa 1930s-1990s) documenting the history, administration, and activities of the entomology program at Purdue University.
Allan Goecker collection of Purdue University College of Agriculture Academic Programs History
Documents the students, degree requirements, degree recipients, faculty, academic courses, Winter courses, and general history of the Purdue University College of Agriculture form its formation at the creation of the university through its first 150 years. Also includes research photographs taken by Allan Goecker.
Howard W. Gregory papers
Hepburn and Sears papers
Samuel N. Postlethwait papers
Articles, artifacts, audio cassette, historical documents, instruction system design handbooks, manuals, papers, photographs, publications, teaching aids and devices, and teaching methods handbooks, which document the pioneering audio tutorial system of instruction of Professor Samuel N. Postlethwait during the 1960s and early 1970s.