Charles L. Terrell Collection of Historic Colorado State University Campus Images

Charles L. Terrell was born on November 2, 1913, in Delta County, Colorado, and graduated from Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now Colorado State University) with a B.S. in forestry in 1939. His wife, Lucille Carlson Terrell, also graduated in 1939 with a degree in Home Economics. He worked as a forester for the Extension Service and the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station.

In 1955, the Colorado General Assembly placed the Colorado State Forest Service under the authority of the State Board of Agriculture (now the Board of Governors). This appointment combined the formerly separate positions of extension forester and state forester into one. Terrell was the first to be hired to fill this joint position.

In 1959, Terrell became secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, a position that was responsible for setting the agenda of the board and lobbying for support for CSU. He served as secretary until 1976, when he became assistant to the president. Terrell was awarded the Charles A. Lory Public Service Award, one of the highest honors granted by CSU, in 1976, and retired from CSU in 1978. Charles L. Terrell died on April 17, 1995.