Krull House
Dr. Wendell Krull was a biologist, veterinarian and naturalist who was known for his contribution to the field of veterinary parasitology and passion for trematode life cycles. Determination for discovery in the color green exemplifies Dr. Krull’s passion for nature and gift for observing the natural world. Throughout his career, he solved the complex life cycle of many parasites, including elucidation of the lancet fluke (Dicrocoelium dendriticum) life cycle. Dr. Krull was born in 1897 in Tripoli, Iowa. After serving in the United States Navy, Dr. Krull received his A.B. degree at Upper Iowa University in 1921 and then went on to complete a Ph.D. at the University of Michigan. Upon completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Krull took a position as a researcher and administrator for the United States Department of Agriculture. In 1942, Dr. Krull left the USDA to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University and then Colorado State University. He completed his veterinary education at CSU, where he soon became a Professor, head of the Department of Zoology, and Parasitologist at the CSU Agricultural Experiment Station. In 1948, Dr. Krull left CSU to accept the position of Professor and founding Head of Veterinary Parasitology at Oklahoma A. and M. College (OSU). He remained at OSU until he retired in 1964.
Following retirement from OSU, Dr. Krull accepted a position in New York City at the Animal Medical Center with plans to work out unknown aspects of the dog heartworm life cycle. He soon found out that experiments at AMC had to be performed on naturally infected animals, which was not in line with his research plan. Dr. Krull then accepted a position at Kansas State University, where he taught from 1965-1968 before retiring at the age of 70. In 1969, Dr. Krull accepted a temporary assignment to teach a single parasitology course at OSU. He passed away from cancer in 1971. Dr. Krull’s impact and passion for veterinary parasitology is still felt at Oklahoma State. The Krull Prize in Veterinary Parasitology was established in 1972 to recognize a graduating veterinarian who has shown a particular interest and aptitude in veterinary parasitology. When Mrs. Krull passed away in 1989, she left half of her estate to OSU, which then became the Wendell H. and Nellie G. Krull Professorship in Veterinary Parasitology. This is the first endowed professorship in veterinary parasitology at a U.S. institution and the first to be established with resources accumulated by an academic parasitologist and his spouse.
The Bison (or American Buffalo) was adopted as the State of Oklahoma animal in 1972. Similar to Dr. Krull, Bison portray manifestation, gentleness, and moderation. The olfactory sense of the Bison is excellent and is essential in detecting danger. A fun fact is that Bison are good swimmers as well as runners, capable of reaching speeds of 62 km/hr.
Green, known as the color of renewal, nature, and energy, is associated with growth. Being soothing, relaxing, and youthful, green is often a color that helps alleviate anxiety and nervousness.