In 1962, John Phillips, forester at Snellstrom Lumber Co., was asked by an Advisory Committee of Eugene Technical Vocational School (ETVS) to plan and instruct a Manpower Development Training Act Program (MDTA) at ETVS. Federal guidelines were used, and a one-year program was developed. Unemployed high school graduates were eligible for enrollment.

The unemployment rate was so high that, in March of 1962, the program began a second class to run concurrent with the first. The program moved in the fall of 1965. Of the 69 men enrolled in ETVS’ one-year courses, 37 graduated in June 1965. The 1966 and 1967 class of 47 saw 27 graduates.

The two-year program was started in 1967; the curriculum was developed by Phillips and closely followed the Society of American Forester Guidelines for Technical School Recognition. Mr. Gerald Meier was hired from the United States Forest Service to teach the two-year program with Phillips. The first class graduated from the two-year program in 1969.

The first woman graduated in 1971. Through June 1985, the program had 245 graduates; 38 of whom were women.

Phillips headed the program until he retired in 1982. Curt McKinney replaced him and Gerald Meier became the senior instructor. In January 1985, Curt asked for a leave-of-absence to do an industrial job and Russ Hendricks was hired as a temporary director through the end of the 1984-1985 school year.

Due to low enrollment and a changing employment situation, the program was suspended indefinitely in June 1985. Special provisions were made for returning second-year students so they could graduate.