1880-1904: The Beginning

• 1889: Cheney Normal School began: its mandate was to train teachers for an agricultural empire.
• 1898: Biology was a required course for all students.

Cheney Normal School

1905-1951: The Hungate Years -Agricultural Emphasis

• Joseph W. Hungate headed the biological sciences on this campus for 46 years; he was the only instructor from 1905 to 1938.
• Biology had a strong agricultural emphasis in its early years; courses included agriculture, animal husbandry, poultrying, dairying, vegetable gardening, horticulture, farm crops.
• The first biological sciences major was offered in the 1932-33 catalog. Required for a three year major were Introduction to Natural Science, Vertebrate and Invertebrate Zoology, Elementary and Advanced Botany, Entomology and Genetics.
• Cheney Normal became Eastern Washington College of Education in 1937.

An Agricultural Class

1952-1971: The Nicol Years -Growth and Specialization

• Frank Nicol was chair of the department from 1953 to 1971.
• In the 1950s there were still only 2 faculty, a botanist (Nicol) and a zoologist.
• The Hall of Sciences was built in 1962. Biology was housed in the north wing of Showalter Hall prior to that.
• From 1957-1971, 14 new faculty were added to the department, which added a new level of specialization.
• The graduate program began in 1968.

Frank Nicol in the greenhouse

The 1970s and 80s: Research and Program Development

• When Frank Nicol resigned as chair, a rotating chairmanship was established, with 2-4 year terms.
• The institution became Eastern Washington Unversity in 1977.
• Research became important in the Department of Biology in the 1970s.
• TLES (Turnbull Laboratory for Ecological Studies) was built in 1976.
• It was through the efforts of one biology faculty member, Dode Simms, that the historic Red Barn was saved.
• Development of Curriculum Options occured in the early 80s.
• UCUT (Upper Columbia United Tribes) Fisheries Project began in the 80s.
• Women's Studies connection

The Hall of Sciences, 1980s

The 1990s: Expansion and Updating

• Remodeling of the Science Building continued from 1989 to 1994. It resulted in almost a doubling of space for the biology department and much new equipment.
• Faculty hired in the 1960s and 1970s were retiring, resulting in hiring of several new faculty.
• Changes in the Graduate Program offered more freedom of choice for graduate students.
• International Connections

The Science Addition

Bibliography

Acknowledgement:

Lee Swedberg wrote the History of the Biology Department in 1981 and updated it in 1997. This is a summary of her writings. A paper copy of the History is available in the Department Office.