Humboldt State University ® Department of Chemistry

Robert A. Paselk Scientific Instrument Museum

Founder's Hall, 1939

 

Science Education at Humboldt State College, the Early Years: 1934-53

The instruments seen in this portion of the museum were used in teaching Chemistry, Physics, and Life Sciences at a time when Humboldt still served mostly for the preparation of school teachers for the north coast region of California. However it was also during this period when Humboldt began to focus on programs important to the rich natural resources surrounding it, such as wildlife and forestry.

Some Significant Events for Humboldt Science:

• 1935 - Humboldt was renamed Humboldt State College. It had a student body of 275, with 31 faculty members.
• 1940 - William and Hortense Lanphere introduced a two year program in Wildlife Management. In 1941 Humboldt's enrollment peaked at 481 students, it was to fall to 176 by 1944.
  • Images of Science at Humboldt: 1938-1940. A collection of photos of students doing science at HSC.
  • Humboldt State College Science Faculty: 1938-1941. A collection of photos of faculty teaching or doing science at Humboldt.
• 1945 - Humboldt was reorganized into five divisions:
• 1946 saw the hiring of Roscoe "Rocky" Peithman (Physical Science and Physics, at Humboldt 1946-1977), who would be influential in the development of the physical sciences at Humboldt. HSC was accredited by NW Association of Secondary and Higher Schools in 1946.
• 1947 - The B.A. in Wildlife Management was instituted.
• 1948 saw the hiring of the first Professor of Chemistry, Dr Arthur Smith. Prior to this time faculty were listed in science or physical science, etc. rather than in specialties.
• 1952 - The Science Building (now the west-wing of Science A) was completed.
• 1953 - The Wildlife Management building was finished.

Instrument Collection: HSC (1936-53)	HSC (1935-1953)	Images of Science at Humboldt
HSTC (1921-34)	Scientific Instrument Museum Home	HSC (1954-1973)

© R. Paselk

Last modified 2 November 2000