Franklin A. McEdward Professor for Undergraduate Learning Initiatives

Franklin McEdward graduated from Oregon State University in 1957 with a degree in electrical engineering. After serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, he joined Boeing in Seattle, where he worked as a test engineer for the remainder of his career.

McEdward had a lifelong love of learning and surrounded himself with books. When he died in May 2007 at age 82, he left $2.6 million—the vast majority of his estate—to Oregon State University. His gift, designated primarily for OSU's Valley Library, established the Franklin A. McEdward Professorship for Student Learning Initiatives. The gift also funded the McEdward Reading Room in the Valley Library, and a portion supported the College of Engineering, where a lounge in the Kelley Engineering Center bears his name.

Franklin McEdward's gift is the second largest from an individual ever given to OSU Libraries.

Current Faculty Holder

Anne-Marie Deitering