November 6, 1939
Dean F. A. Gilfillan
Department of Chemistry
Oregon State College
Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis, Oregon
I am very glad to write that I shall be able to take a short leave from the Institute at the end of the month, and to participate in your dedication of the new chemistry building on Saturday, December 2. My wife and I plan to drive to Corvallis arriving Friday morning December 1 and leaving again on Sunday morning. I would have been very sorry if conditions had been such as to make me miss such an important event as the dedication of this building, with its significance for the future development of your chemistry department.
I suppose that you will want me to give a technical talk on some subject such as "The Significance of the Resonance Phenomenon in Chemistry," and perhaps also to make a few remarks at a formal ceremony. I am willing to do just what you want, but I wish that you would tell me in detail what your plans are, so that I can make adequate preparation.
With best regards, and looking forward to seeing you and my other old friends, I am
Sincerely yours,
Linus Pauling
LP/jr