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Purdue University. College of Agriculture

 Organization

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/1
Citation:
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/1127
Citation:
“Research Facilities,” College of Agriculture, Purdue University, Accessed June 20, 2024. https://ag.purdue.edu/department/arge/facilities-and-research/research-facilities.html
Citation:
“Student Enrollment, Fall 2023,” Undergraduate Admissions, Purdue University, Accessed June 20, 2024. https://admissions.purdue.edu/academics/enrollment.php

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Collection of Agricultural publications

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 20
Scope and Contents This collection consists of agricultural publications collected by the Purdue University College of Agriculture. Most publications are either published by the College of Agriculture, or contributed to by College of Agriculture staff. The subjects of the publications are primarily on agricultural studies, practices, and history at Purdue, as well as in Indiana more generally. Types of materials present in the collection include booklets, reports, magazines, newsletters, pamphlets, and...
Dates: 1883 - 2017
Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Allan Goecker collection of Purdue University College of Agriculture Academic Programs History

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 557
Content Description

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.

Dates: 2017 - 2020
Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Samuel N. Postlethwait papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 516
Abstract

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.

Dates: 1965 - 1981
Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections