Orville A. Vogel, world renowned wheat breeder, who led WSU/USDA research teams that developed high yields wheats--Gaines and Nugaines--for the Pacific Northwest, was born at Pilger, Nebr., May 19, 1907. He received his BS and MS from University of Nebraska. In 1931 he came to WSU as a research agronomist with the US Department of Agriculture. He was awarded his Ph.D in 1939 from WSU. He retained the title of research agronomist with the USDA till 1966, and held courtesy appointments at WSU as Associate Agronomist, Division of Agronomy, and from 1960 till his retirement in 1973, as Professor of Agronomy, Collaborator, USDA. He was a Fellow and member of Sigma Xi. He received the Achievement Award of the US Department of Agriculture in 1962, National Medal of Science in 1975 and WSU's highest honor-the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1977.
From the guide to the Orville Vogel Papers, 1931-1970, 1932-1988, (Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections)
