World War II

Paul M. Dunn: Primarily the Federal programs, the CCC started it. Are you acquainted with the Civilian Conservation Corps?

Royal Jackson / Jennifer Lee: Yes, they created a need for technically trained people?

Paul M. Dunn: Yes. And then following that, the Taylor Grazing Act, which currently is the Bureau of Land Management, and then the Soil Conservation Service. So, the Forest Service and the BLM and the Soil Conservation Service formed the backbone of the demand for technical people. All three of those organizations, of course, have increased their numbers considerably. Also, there was a curriculum in Wildlife Management. In fact, the title of the Department when I went there was Forestry, Range and Wildlife Management. So those three categories of forest and rangeland resources contributed to the need for technicians and the School grew considerably over the years. In 1938 the Department was made into a School, and I was the first Dean.

Royal Jackson / Jennifer Lee: What was the official title of the School?

Paul M. Dunn: The School of Forestry, Range and Wildlife Management. Also, at that time there was an interest in state forestry. I and others initiated a program that resulted in the establishment of the Utah State Department of Forestry.

Royal Jackson / Jennifer Lee: One didn't exist prior to that in Utah?

Paul M. Dunn: No. It was organized and recognized in 1938, and I was the first State Forester which was at that time called "State Forester - Fire Warden." So I had those duties.

Royal Jackson / Jennifer Lee: Along with the duties of Dean?

Paul M. Dunn: Yes, and there was no extra pay for those duties. It was an interesting phase in the overall program. I continued on in that category until 1942 when I was offered a position here at Oregon State. I was somewhat reluctant to leave that area where the support had been very good. The cooperation with the other university people from the President on down, people in the state and other government programs was great. However, we decided to leave and join the staff here.

Royal Jackson / Jennifer Lee: By this time World War II had broken out. Did that cause a drop in enrollment in the Schools of Forestry in general?

Paul M. Dunn: Yes. This resulted in a heavy decline in enrollment because at that time all the students were male, and the exodus was not quite a hundred percent, but nearly so.