William Tebeau

William Henry Tebeau (November 23, 1925 – July 5, 2013) in 1948 became the first African-American man to graduate from Oregon State College (OSU). He was an engineer for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for 36 years. A residence hall at OSU and Highway 126 between Eugene and Florence are both named after him.

Early life William Tebeau was born in Baker, Oregon, United States, to Henry William Tebeau and Frances (née Binor) Tebeau. At age 12, he joined the Boy Scouts of America, earning the Order of the Arrow and eventually becoming an Eagle Scout. He found a job at a fraternity house tending the furnace, in exchange for a room in the basement. He graduated with a degree in chemical engineering in 1948.

Engineering career Tebeau earned his civil engineering license and joined the Oregon State Highway Department, where he worked for 36 years.