Gilfillan, F. A. (Francois Archibald), 1893-1983

Gilfillan's career at Oregon State University spanned over 60 years as a student (B.S. Pharmacy, 1918), Professor of Chemistry (1927-1939), and Dean of Science (1939-1962). F.A. Gilfillan was officially appointed as Acting President of Oregon State College in September 1941 after the resignation of President Ballard. However he had been serving as chair of the Administrative Council and carrying out the president's campus duties since October 1940. He lead the University through the uncertain months of the beginning of World War II until A.L. Strand's arrival in October 1942. A native of Oklahoma, Gilfillan earned a B.S. degree in Pharmacy from Oregon Agricultural College in 1918. After serving in the Army chemical warfare department, he attended Yale University and earned a doctoral degree in chemistry. He retired as Dean of Science in 1962, but continued his close ties with Oregon State University by teaching German for six years and remained in Corvallis until his death in 1983. As Dean of Science for more than 20 years, Gilfillan was known to many on campus and in the community as "Dean Gilfillan." Besides his professional contributions in pharmacy and chemistry, Dean Gilfillan could speak German, Russian, French, Italian and Chinook; translate Latin, Greek, Chinese, and inscriptions on clay tablets; and collected rare books and antique silver. The Junior Engineers' and Scientists' Summer Institute (JESSI) was a two-week program for high school students interested in science and engineering offered at Oregon State University from 1956 through the early 1970s. The Institute was developed at Oregon State College in conjunction with Scientists of Tomorrow (located in Portland, Oregon); institutes were offered at colleges and universities throughout the United States.

From the description of F.A. Gilfillan papers, 1909-1984 (bulk 1921-1977). (Eugene Public Library). WorldCat record id: 173259009

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