ARCHIVES: Impact of the Great Depression on Students During the 1930s

Russell Pierson enrolled at Oklahoma A&M College in 1929. While he was active in athletics, making the varsity track and cross country teams, Pierson was also involved with the Aggie Society and the crops judging team. He would go on to great success in the field of agriculture, serving as an extension agent and in other roles before accepting a position as a farm broadcaster for WKY Radio and Television. Pierson passed away on March 31, 2015. In this oral history interview excerpt from the O-STATE Stories collection, Pierson reflects back on his first year in college in 1929 and the impact of the stock market crash and Great Depression. For more, visit the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the OSU Library.