Distinguished Engineering Alumnus
Award Recipient
Franklin D. Hart — 1999
This distinguished alumnus earned his BS degree in 1959, his MS in 1961, and his PhD in 1965 in mechanical engineering from NC State. Before receiving his doctorate, he was appointed assistant professor of mechanical engineering at NC State. He established the Center for Acoustical Studies with funding from NASA and served as its founding director. He was promoted to full professor in 1970. His research in acoustics brought renown in academe, and his team's development of the “Gorilla Goal” brought recognition among basketball fans.
In 1980, he was promoted to associate dean of engineering research programs, and was named the vice chancellor for research at NC State in 1983. In 1990, he was named interim provost and became provost in 1991. Six years later he was honored with NC State University's Holladay Medal for Excellence. An important figure in the history of NC State, he co-chaired the team that originated the concept for the Engineering Graduate Research Center. In 1993, he was named president and CEO of MCNC. His leadership guided the center from an academic world to that of private industry. He retired in 1998.
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Also awarded in 1999
Franklin D. Hart