Harry Means Crooks was a graduate of Wooster College in Ohio (1899). Prior to being hired as Albany College's President in 1905, Crooks had been employed as a public school superintendent. During Crooks' ten years at Albany College, he was responsible for building the existing $3,000 endowment up to $250,000. He also eliminated the college prep academy to help focus faculty energies on the college curriculum, and ensure that Albany would maintain its accredidation. Crooks left Albany in 1915 to be the President of Alma College in Michigan.
From the guide to the Administrative Records of Albany College (Oregon) President, Harry Means Crooks, 1905-1915, (Lewis & Clark College Special Collections and Archives)