William A. Finley
Encyclopedia
William Asa Finley was an American
academic and the first president of Corvallis College, known today as Oregon State University
.
Born in Missouri
in 1839, Finley moved to California
in 1852. He went to University of the Pacific in Santa Clara
for three years and Pacific Methodist College for one year, where he received the degree of Artium Magister
. Thereafter, he received the honorary Doctor of Divinity
from Wofford College
in Spartanburg, South Carolina
in 1871.
In 1865, Finley became the first president of Corvallis College by the appointment of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South
. His presidency there lasted until he resigned in June 1872 because of the health problems of his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Latimer. After Finley moved back to Santa Rosa, California
with his wife, he became the second president of Pacific Methodist College in 1876; later, he became a president of Santa Rosa Young Ladies College.
Finley's contribution to Oregon State University was significant in that during his presidency, Corvallis College reached the status of an independent institution of higher education rather than that of a high school for pioneers.
William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
was named for Finley's nephew, conservationist William L. Finley
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
academic and the first president of Corvallis College, known today as Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
.
Born in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
in 1839, Finley moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1852. He went to University of the Pacific in Santa Clara
Santa Clara, California
Santa Clara , founded in 1777 and incorporated in 1852, is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. The city is the site of the eighth of 21 California missions, Mission Santa Clara de Asís, and was named after the mission. The Mission and Mission Gardens are located on the...
for three years and Pacific Methodist College for one year, where he received the degree of Artium Magister
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
. Thereafter, he received the honorary Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
from Wofford College
Wofford College
Established in 1854 and related to the United Methodist Church, Wofford College is an independent, Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts college of 1,525 students located in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. The historic campus is recognized as a national arboretum and features “The...
in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Spartanburg, South Carolina
thgSpartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region of South Carolina, and is located northwest of Columbia, west of Charlotte, and about northeast of...
in 1871.
In 1865, Finley became the first president of Corvallis College by the appointment of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South
Methodist Episcopal Church, South
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, or Methodist Episcopal Church South, was the so-called "Southern Methodist Church" resulting from the split over the issue of slavery in the Methodist Episcopal Church which had been brewing over several years until it came out into the open at a conference...
. His presidency there lasted until he resigned in June 1872 because of the health problems of his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Latimer. After Finley moved back to Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County, California, United States. The 2010 census reported a population of 167,815. Santa Rosa is the largest city in California's Wine Country and fifth largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area, after San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont and 26th...
with his wife, he became the second president of Pacific Methodist College in 1876; later, he became a president of Santa Rosa Young Ladies College.
Finley's contribution to Oregon State University was significant in that during his presidency, Corvallis College reached the status of an independent institution of higher education rather than that of a high school for pioneers.
William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is a natural area in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, United States. It was created to provide wintering habitat for Dusky Canada Geese. Unlike other Canada Geese, Dusky Canada Geese have limited summer and winter ranges. They nest on Alaska's Copper River...
was named for Finley's nephew, conservationist William L. Finley
William L. Finley
William Lovell Finley was an American wildlife photographer and conservationist from Southern California. The William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge was named in his honor.-Family:...
.