Linus Carl Pauling (1901-1994) graduated from Oregon Agricultural College in 1922 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. A giant of twentieth century science and a peace activist of international consequence, Pauling is Oregon State's most famous alumnus. He remains history's only recipient of two unshared Nobel Prizes (Chemistry, 1954; Peace, 1962).
William Jasper Kerr was chosen as the sixth president of Oregon Agricultural College in 1907 and led the college through a twenty-five-year period of tremendous growth in numbers of students and faculty, academic and research programs, and physical facilities.
Eddy Elbridge Wilson graduated in 1889 with a B.S. From 1925-1940, Wilson was president then board member of the First National Bank of Corvallis. Wilson was also deeply involved with the community, working with the State Game Commission from 1935-1949 and the Corvallis Planning Commission from 1931-1941. At Oregon Agricultural College, Wilson served on the Board of Regents from 1906-1915 and 1924-1929. From 1925-1961, Wilson worked with the Memorial Union Board of Governors.