Grant Covell came to Oregon Agricultural College as Professor of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering in 1889, the year in which the department was organized. He handled the teaching and departmental duties essentially alone, with occasional assistance from instructors for many years. The Mechanical Engineering Department and, in fact, College of Engineering were really developed in the early days and well into the 20th century by Professor Covell. He was appointed the first Dean of Engineering in 1907 and served in that position until 1927. Civic activities included serving on the Corvallis City Council for a number of years, during which time it was said he was influential in maintaining the "dry" local option for the community.