The papers of E. B. Lemon are organized into five series. Series I
consists of correspondence regarding Lemon's involvement
in the Corvallis Area Chamber of Commerce, the OSU Foundation, and the State Scholarship Commission.
Also addressed in the correspondence are a recognition ceremony given in honor of Lemon's retirement
and the gift of a replica of the National Capitol building to
the University. Series II contains materials pertaining to the
OSU Foundation and includes directories and minutes from the Board
of Trustees, the Deferred Gifts Committee, Executive Committee,
and the Nominations Committee. This series also contains materials
relating to a proposed development of a performing arts center
on campus (the Great Hall).
Series III are newspaper clippings relating to Lemon's appointment
to the State Scholarship Commission, recognition ceremonies and
celebrations honoring Lemon's retirement and 50th and
60th wedding anniversaries, and the awarding of "First
Citizen of Benton County" honor to Lemon. Series
IV consists of certificates and awards dating from 1924 to 1971.
In addition to correspondence and brochures relating to the OSU
Centennial Award presented to Lemon in 1968, this series includes
certificates from the Pacific Association of Collegiate Registrars
and Admissions Officers and the OSU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi.
Series V is photographs featuring portraits of Lemon, a view
of Lemon on campus in his Cauthorn Hall dorm room and the building
itself, and reunions of the graduating class of 1911.
Biographical Note
Born in Sherman County, Oregon, in 1889, Erwin Bertran Lemon
graduated with a degree in Business from OAC in 1911. That same
year, Lemon's longtime association with the University continued
with his appointment as a part-time instructor of accounting.
Teaching for the School of Commerce until 1943, Lemon also held
the post of University Registrar for 21 years (1922 to 1943) during
this period. From 1943 until his retirement from the University
in 1959, Lemon served as Dean of Administration. Outside the University,
Lemon assumed leadership roles in several professional organizations
including the American Association of Registrars and the Pacific
Coast Registrar's Association. After retiring in 1959, Lemon remained
active on behalf of the University through involvement in the
OSU Alumni Association and the OSU Foundation (serving on the
Board of Trustees from 1965 to 1978). Lemon was also active in
Corvallis civic affairs, including involvement in the Corvallis
Area Chamber of Commerce, the Corvallis School Board, and the
local chapter of the Rotary Club. For his service to OSU and the
community, Lemon was honored with a Distinguished Service Award
from the University in 1968 and was named "First Citizen
of Benton County " in 1959. Lemon died in 1979.
Related Materials
Documentation of Lemon's service to OSU as a longtime employee
can be found in the institutional records of several University
departments and offices, including the College
of Business (RG 122), Registrar's Office (RG 53), and the Office of
Finance and Administration (RG 131). The records of the OSU
Alumni Association (RG 35) is another institutional records group documenting Lemon's
work with the University. Lemon's involvement as a charter member
and President of the local chapter of Phi
Kappa Phi can be found in the papers of the OSU Chapter. Papers from the wife of E. B. Lemon,
Lora, can also be found in the Archives.
Shelf Locations
SR 5/7/3/31-32
2/2/9/53 (photographs)
(box SR 5/7/3/31) I. Correspondence, 1911-1979: General, 1911-1979 Corvallis Area Chamber of Commerce, 1965-1975 National Capitol Building Replica Model, 1964-1965 OSU Foundation, 1968-1977 Retirement/Recognition Dinner, 1955, 1959 State Scholarship Commission, 1959-1969 II. OSU Foundation, 1965-1979: Directories, 1970/1971-1978/1979 Minutes, Board of Trustees, 1965-1978 (box SR 5/7/3/32) Minutes, Deferred Gifts Committee, 1968-1970 Minutes, Executive Committee, 1976 Minutes, Nominations Committee, 1974-1979 Proposal: Great Hall Performing Arts Center, 1975-1978 III. Newspaper Clippings, 1911-1979: First Citizen of Benton County Honor, 1959 General, 1911-1973 Obituaries, 1979 (enclosed is a copy of Lemon's will, dated 1969) Retirement/Recognition Dinner, 1959 State Scholarship Commission, 1959-1961 Wedding Anniversary Celebrations, 1961, 1971 IV. Awards/Certificates, 1924-1971: OSU Centennial Award, 1968 Pacific Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, 1971 Phi Kappa Phi, 1924-1969 (box 2/2/9/53) V. Photographs, ca. 1910-1961: Class Reunions, ca. 1930-1961 Lemon at OAC, ca. 1910 (shot of Lemon in Cauthorn (now Fairbanks) Hall dorm with roommate, Maurice Smead and exterior view of the hall) Portraits of Lemon, ca. 1910-1955