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A composite blend of two photos. On the left is a black and white image from early 20th century showing a team of land surveyors. On the right is a color photo of a female student working with a male professor on a project.

A Century of History

Highlighting pivotal moments from the first 100 years of the College of Engineering.

Timeline

We hope you enjoy the College of Engineering timeline below in which several significant events from our first 100 years have been highlighted.

Learn more

Be sure to also visit the following links for a wealth of historical information about the College that we aren’t able to fit on this site.

1910
Winston Hall

Black and white photo of exterior of Winston Hall. Circa 1910.

Winston Hall opened. It was the first building primarily devoted to engineering activities.

1921
Lucille Thompson

Lucille Thomson was the first woman to enroll in engineering. With an interest in radio, she enrolled in electrical engineering. There are conflicting accounts about if she graduated or not in 1923.

1923
The beginning

Wallace Riddick

The School of Engineering was officially established. Wallace C. Riddick became the first dean. At the time, the school consisted of what are now the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering; Textile Engineering; and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), as well as the Physics Department.

1924
Chemical engineering established

The Department of Chemical Engineering was formed by Dr. E. E. Randolph, reflecting the increasing importance of chemical research in North Carolina.

Precursors

Departments that were precursors to materials science and engineering were formed in the 1920s. These were Ceramic Engineering (1924), Mining Engineering (1925), and Geology (1927).

1929
Up in the air

The Aeronautical Engineering Option was offered for the first time.

The School of Forestry was established, and in the following years, the Wood Products and Paper and Pulp Department was created. It is now called the Department of Paper Science and Engineering.

1930
The industrial revolution

The Industrial Engineering department was established.

School of Engineering enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined) is 685.

1935
Geological formation

The Department of Geological Engineering was formed from the geology and mining departments.

1937
Continued growth

More departments were established: Industrial, Ceramics, Math, Architectural, Geological, and Agricultural.

The first graduate work in Engineering was offered: engineering mechanics and strength of materials.

First accreditation of engineering curricula: ceramic, civil, electrical, mechanical.

Blake Ragsdale Van Leer became dean. He served until 1942, when he left on military leave.

1940
Looking up

The Department of Aeronautical Engineering was established.

School of Engineering enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined) is 1,180.

1941
First female graduate

Black and white graduation photo of Katherine Stinson.

Katharine Stinson was the first woman to receive an engineering degree from NC State (BSME with aeronautical option). She was later the first woman engineer hired by the Civil Aviation Administration.

1944
Engineering Foundation established

The North Carolina Engineering Foundation, Inc., “a non-profit organization having for its purpose the development of the State through engineering education and research,” was formed by a group of 49 representative engineers, contractors, and industrialists interested in fostering and promoting ways of improving and developing engineering in North Carolina. (On May 3, 1999, the name changed to “NC State Engineering Foundation, Inc.”)

1945
Longest serving dean

J. Harold Lampe wearing glasses and dressed in a three piece suit standing behind his desk.

J. Harold Lampe became Dean and went on to serve 17 years, the longest tenure of any Dean of Engineering at NC State. During Lampe’s years of service (1) among curricula developed to serve special industrial needs were furniture manufacturing and management, construction, heating and air conditioning, and nuclear engineering (aeronautical engineering became an option in the Mechanical Engineering department); (2) department of Engineering Research, Industrial Extension Service, Department of Mineral Industries, Department of Nuclear Engineering, and Engineering Placement Office were established; and (3) three major buildings are constructed: Riddick Engineering Laboratories, Broughton Hall, and Burlington Nuclear Engineering Laboratories.

1946
Asheville connection

As part of the School of Engineering, the “State College Minerals Research Laboratory” (now called the Minerals Research Laboratory) began formal operations in Asheville.

1949
Nuclear vision

Clifford K. Beck

Dr. Clifford K. Beck of Oak Ridge accepted the offer to head the Physics Department and proceeded to work on a proposal for a nuclear reactor at NC State College. The initial draft was completed July 5, 1949, and was later revised on March 30, 1950.

1950
A growing student body

School of Engineering enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined) is 1,690.

Nuclear reactor

The newly organized nuclear engineering curriculum was placed into operation, and the first courses in nuclear engineering were given.

Plans for construction of a building to house the 10-kW nuclear reactor on the campus of NC State College were completed, and construction of the reactor and laboratory building was begun. The Burlington Mills Textile Foundation contributed $200,000 for the project.

Riddick Engineering Laboratories building was named in memory of Dr. Wallace Carl Riddick.

First female faculty

Dr. Pike (left) and Billie Richardson conducting research in an engineering lab, 1951.

Professor Frances M. “Billie” Richardson was the first woman faculty member hired in the School of Engineering in 1951 and was elected the first president of the Society of Women Engineers, North Carolina Section, in 1979. Also pictured is Dr. Frederick P. Pike, professor of chemical engineering. (Photo: 1951)

1952
Statewide advice

The Advisory Council of the School of Engineering was formed, comprising a 15-member group of leaders from the State’s industrial, professional, and community life.

1953
A year of firsts

View of R1 nuclear reactor cell under construction in 1952.

NC State’s School of Engineering today operated the world’s first nuclear reactor used for teaching, research and public service (first non-government nuclear reactor). One year later, NC State launched the nation’s only doctoral program in nuclear engineering.

First Ph.D in engineering was awarded to Ralph Marshall McGehee.

The first African-American graduate students enrolled in NC State: Hardy Liston in mechanical engineering and Robert L. Clemons in electrical engineering.

1954
Another year of firsts

The first PhDs in ceramic engineering at NC State were awarded to William C. Hackler and Albert D. Indyk.

The first PhD in chemical engineering at NC State was awarded to James K. Ferrell.

The first PhDs in nuclear engineering at NC State were awarded to Robert Howell Bryan and Hervasio Guimaroes de Carvolho (arguably the first Hispanic student to receive a PhD at NC State).

1956
First African-American undergrads

The first African-American undergraduate students entered NC State; all were engineering students. Walter Holmes enrolled in mechanical engineering with an aerospace option, and Irwin Holmes, Manuel Crockett and Edward Carson enrolled in electrical engineering.

1957
First African-American graduate

Robert L. Clemons, one of the first two African-American graduate students enrolled at NC State, became the first African-American to receive a degree from NC State; his was a professional degree in electrical engineering.

1960
First African-American to receive a bachelor’s degree

Irwin Holmes on tennis court holding a tennis racket. He is wearing glasses and dressed in a t-shirt and shorts.

Irwin Holmes was the first African American man to receive a bachelor’s degree from NC State (electrical engineering). He was also the first African American athlete at NC State and was captain of the tennis team.

1961
First woman to receive advanced degree

The first woman to receive an advanced degree in engineering from NC State was Anna Clyde Fraker (MS in metallurgical engineering).

1962
A civil engineering first and a new dean

The first PhD in civil engineering at NC State was awarded to Charles Fisher Page.

Ralph E. Fadum was named dean. He served as dean until 1978.

1965
Enrollment continues to grow

School of Engineering enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined) is 3,365.

The first PhDs in mechanical engineering at NC State were awarded to Ozer Ali Arnas, Charles Team Carley, Tuncer Cebeci and Franklin Delano Hart.

1967
First woman to receive PhD plus a new department

Anna Clyde Fraker

Anna Clyde Fraker became the first woman to receive a PhD in engineering at NC State (ceramic engineering, 1967) and the first woman to receive an advanced engineering degree of any kind at NC State.

The Department of Computer Science was established.

1968
First in engineering mechanics

The first PhD in engineering mechanics at NC State was awarded to Larry Herbert Royster.

1970
Industrial and materials firsts

The first PhD in industrial engineering at NC State was awarded to Manmohan Krishan Wig.

The first PhD in materials engineering at NC State was awarded to Walter Jackson Lackey.

1972
Pioneering operations

The first PhD in operations research at NC State was awarded to Sanji Arisawa.

1973
Expanding opportunities for all

Arthur Eckels was released from some of his electrical engineering teaching duties to initiate the School of Engineering’s first minority engineering effort — that of fundraising for programs to recruit minority students. The school’s first summer program for minorities, held in 1973, was funded by General Electric and Western Electric, followed by funding from DuPont in 1974.

1975
First African American doctoral degree

Student Hubert Winston in the lab.

Hubert Winston became the first African American to receive a doctoral degree in chemical engineering. He also had the distinction of being the first African-American faculty member in the College of Engineering and in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

School of Engineering enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined) is 3,702.

1976
MITE summer program established

Byard Houck was named Director of Special Programs and created the Minority Introduction to Engineering (MITE) summer program. MITE later merged with the Student Introduction to Engineering (SITE) program.

1978
Largest in the nation

By 1978 NC State was running the largest minority engineering summer programs in the nation after only five years of recruiting and fundraising efforts.

Larry K. Monteith became dean until 1989.

1979
First female PhD faculty member

Sarah Rajala

Sarah A. Rajala joined the Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty and became the first woman PhD faculty member to join the College of Engineering.

1980
A new decade begins with more enrollment

School of Engineering enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined) is 5,406.

1982
First minority assistant and associate dean

George Bland

George Bland became the first African American appointed as an Assistant Dean (Undergraduate Student Services, 1982) and as an Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs, 1985).

The first 2+2 program was established with the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Students complete their first one or two years in Asheville, then transfer to NC State.

The College established the Minority Engineering Programs when it hired Bobby Pettis as the first minority coordinator in 1982.

1983
IMS is established

The Integrated Manufacturing Systems Engineering Institute was established.

1984
Centennial Campus is planned

The University received a 780-acre tract of land from the State of North Carolina, part of the Dorothea Dix Hospital property. Plans called for a “Centennial Campus” to be built as a series of clusters with a mixture of academic buildings and private research buildings.

1985
First aerospace engineering PhD

The first PhD in aerospace engineering at NC State was awarded to Alan Wade Wilhite.

1987
A new name

The School of Engineering changed its name to the College of Engineering.

1988
Transferred in

The Department of Computer Science was transferred to the College of Engineering from the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

1989
First African American female faculty member

Christine Grant

Christine Grant became the first African-American woman faculty member hired in the College of Engineering and in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

1991
Last decade of the millennium

School of Engineering enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined) is 7,236.

1993
Solar Center established

The North Carolina Solar Center was established.

1996
NC’s first online classes

NC State’s College of Engineering offered the state’s first online, real-time, Internet-based distance-education class to students at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. The class was a graduate-level course in ergonomics.

First female associate dean

Sarah A. Rajala became the first woman to be named an associate dean in the College of Engineering. She was named Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Masnari named dean

Nino Masnari was named dean. He led the start of the College’s move to Centennial Campus until he stepped down in 2006.

1997
WIE begins

Women in Engineering Program was established.

1998
New partnership

A 2+2 program was established with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

1999
Name change

The North Carolina Engineering Foundation, Inc. changed its name to the NC State Engineering Foundation, Inc.

2000
Funding the move to Centennial Campus

The people of North Carolina passed an educational bond issue that provided more than $468 million for the renovation and construction of almost thirty academic buildings on the NC State campus. The bond referendum was a critical step in achieving the College of Engineering’s goal of relocating the entire college to Centennial Campus.

2002
Engineering Online named

Distance education in College of Engineering changed from being called Video-Based Engineering Education (VBEE) to Engineering Online.

Digging in the dirt

Formal groundbreaking for Engineering Building I took place on Centennial Campus.

2003
On the frontline

Engineering Frontline first issue cover

The College of Engineering published the premier issue of Engineering Frontline, a publication for alumni and friends that combines news with the NC State Engineering Foundation annual report.

IES grand opening

The Industrial Extension Service, now Industry Expansion Solutions (IES), celebrated the grand opening of its first county-funded extension office, which is in Williamston, North Carolina.

A joint effort

NC State University and UNC-Chapel Hill launched a new joint graduate degree program (master of science and doctor of philosophy degree programs) in biomedical engineering (approved by Board of Governors on May 30, 2003).

Groundbreaking 2

Groundbreaking ceremony for Engineering Building II takes place on Centennial Campus.

2004
The science of paper

The College of Engineering joined forces with the College of Natural Resources to administer a BS degree in paper science and engineering, formerly a bachelor’s in pulp and paper science and technology; the new program was approved in November 2003.

A new partner

The College of Engineering added Craven Community College’s new Havelock campus to its list of Two-Plus-Two program partners. The new program offers a BSE with a concentration in mechanical engineering.

First building completed

Construction on Engineering Building I was completed. The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering began moving in.

2005
Dedication

Dedication Ceremony for Engineering Building I was held.

Building BTEC

Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) groundbreaking is held.

Now open

The first floor of Engineering Building II opened just in time for fall classes.

Historic gift impacts future

Edward P. Fitts

Alumnus Edward P. Fitts (IE ’61) gave $10 million to the Department of Industrial Engineering. The commitment, part of the University’s billion-dollar fundraising campaign, is the largest gift ever received by the College from an individual donor and the largest endowed gift to academics in NC State’s history.

2006
First named academic department

The Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering became NC State’s first named academic department.

Dedication sequel

Engineering Building II was dedicated.

First Hispanic dean

Louis Martin-Vega

Louis A. Martin-Vega became the first Hispanic dean at NC State, boosting the College of Engineering’s rankings and research funding.

2007
Turning over a new leaf

The Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) opened, a unique center offering educational and training opportunities to develop skilled professionals for the biomanufacturing industry. BTEC is a major draw for biomanufacturing companies to come to North Carolina.

2008
A new found FREEDM

NC State was awarded the FREEDM Systems Center, an NSF Engineering Research Center.

2009
A quarter of a century

Avent Ferry entrance to Centennial Campus. NC State University is in white letters with a red background. Centennial Campus is in black letters with a white background.

Centennial Campus celebrated 25 years.

First female department head

Nancy Allbritton was named head of biomedical engineering, becoming the first woman named as a department head in the College.

2010
Dedication trilogy

Engineering Building III was dedicated.

2011
Solely solar

Group of students standing among rows of solar panels.

The NSF FREEDM Systems Center went completely solar.

2012
The only one with two

The NSF ASSIST Nanosystems Engineering Research Center is announced, making NC State at the time the only institution in the nation with two active NSF ERCs.

2013
A new library

James B. Hunt Jr. Library at sunset.

The state-of-the-art James B. Hunt Jr. Library opened in January on NC State’s Centennial Campus. The 220,000-square-foot library contains NC State’s engineering collections and is a short walk from the new engineering buildings on Centennial.

2016
NC citizens approve

North Carolinians voted to pass the Connect NC Bond referendum that ensured $77 million in public funding is available to build the Engineering Building Oval on March 15th. (Note: The Engineering Building Oval was renamed Fitts-Woolard Hall on April 20, 2018.)

2018
A fresh perspective

The Engineering Foundation announces the creation of the NC State Engineering Young Alumni Advisory Board.

10 years and counting

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Center celebrates 10 years.

Fitts-Woolard Hall groundbreaking

Dignitaries pose with shovels at the Fitts-Woolard Hall groundbreaking on April 20, 2018.

The University on April 20, 2018, broke ground on Fitts-Woolard Hall, which came as the result of a $25 million gift from alumni Edward P. Fitts Jr. and Edgar S. Woolard Jr. The building was formerly called Engineering Building Oval.

2020
Finally finished

Fitts-Woolard Engineering building on Centennial Campus with tree branches in the edges of foreground.

The move to Centennial Campus took a major step forward with the opening of Fitts-Woolard Hall. Eight of the nine departments have relocated, with nuclear engineering remaining in Burlington Labs along with the nuclear reactor.

2021
Fitts-Woolard Hall dedicated

Dean Louis Martin-Vega with Edward P. Fitts, who made an instrumental gift to the building.

Fitts-Woolard Hall is dedicated during the annual homecoming celebration.

Pictured is Dean Louis Martin-Vega with Edward P. Fitts, who made an instrumental gift to the building.

2022
Initial steps forward

A new NSF Science and Technology Center named Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) is announced. Directed by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering’s Jacob Jones, it will be headquartered on NC State’s Centennial Campus.

Stepping down

Louis Martin-Vega announces he will be stepping down as Dean of the College of Engineering at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year.

STEPS completed

A ground level view of the new Plant Sciences building.

The new Plant Sciences Building located on Centennial Campus celebrates its grand opening. It will be home to Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS), a new NSF Center focusing on phosphorus sustainability.

Engineering the future

Engineering North Carolina’s Future, a state legislative initiative, was announced, ushering in an unprecedented period of growth for the College in response to the state’s need for STEM graduates.

2023
New dean announced

Jim Pfaendtner

Jim Pfaendtner is named the Louis Martin-Vega Dean of the College of Engineering following a nationwide search. His appointment became effective August 1.