UA 100.014 Guide to the North Carolina State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Records, 1920-2012

Creator

North Carolina State University. Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

Quantity

23.52 Linear feet

General Physical Description

24 archival boxes, 4 legalboxes, 2 cardboxes, 21 flatfolders, 3 cartons

Language

English

Acquisition Information

Transferred from North Carolina State University, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

Processing

Processed by Kristine Huynh and Cathy Dorin-Black; Finding aid written by: Pat Webber, Barbara Weinberg, and Cathy Dorin-Black

Revised

2013 January, Finding aid updated with additions to the collection by Cathy Dorin-Black, 2013 January

Scope and Content Note

The records of the North Carolina State University Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering contain correspondence, scholarship information, course and curriculum information, departmental history, facilities and farm equipment information, legal documents, research project records, publications, photographs and slides, and files on departmental extension and outreach work. Also included are a number of technical drawings of farm equipment and structures patented by department personnel as well as films (many digitized and available online) of agricultural equipment and activities. These records are divided into seven series: Departmental Files, Research and Development, Extension and Outreach, Publications, Photographs and Slides, Audiovisual Materials, and Drawings and Plans. Materials range in date from 1920 to 2011.

Historical Note

Although classes in topics such as "Farm Drainage" were taught since the college first opened in 1889, organized agricultural engineering education at North Carolina State only began in 1917, as an offering of several related courses in the Department of Agronomy. A four-year course of study was offered from that time, but few students availed themselves of it, and only in 1935 did a student graduate with a B.S. in Agriculture from the program. In 1937, the program's name was changed, and the degree became a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering.

In 1940, the program separated from Agronomy, becoming a full-fledged department. The first Head was David S. Weaver, who served until 1948. Weaver not only concerned himself with developing the department, but also in continuing his pioneering work in rural electrification across the state. In addition, the department moved several times during this period, ultimately residing in Clark Hall.

G. Wallace Giles served as the second department head, and during his tenure the department moved into its current spaces in the Weaver Labs Building, named for D.S. Weaver. During Giles' tenure the department began offering graduate degrees, a Masters in 1948 and a Doctorate in 1957. Giles led the department until 1961, expanding the research and extension work performed by the faculty. He was succeeded by F.J. "Pat" Hassler, who served until 1987. In 1965, the department adopted its current name. Subsequent department heads included James H. Ruff, David B. Beasley, and James H. Young.

Today the department's main undergraduate research focus is on Biological Engineering, taking G. W. Giles' recommendation to pay attention to "the internal mechanism of biological production and to the external operations and environment that influence this mechanism." The department emphasizes training in biomedical, bioprocessing, and environmental engineering work. The department continues to perform a variety of extension tasks as well, including emphasis on water and waste management programs, among many others.

Additional information and resources on the history of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering can be found through the NCSU Historical State website .

Controlled Terms

1. Agricultural engineering--Research--North Carolina
2. Agricultural engineering--Study and teaching (Higher)--North Carolina
3. Agricultural innovations
4. Agriculture--North Carolina--History
5. Bioengineering--Study and teaching (Higher)--North Carolina
6. North Carolina State University--History.
7. North Carolina State University. Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering--Faculty.
8. North Carolina State University. Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering--History.
9. North Carolina State University. Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

Related Material

David Statham Weaver Papers, MC 00026)

Howard M. Ellis Papers, MSS 00175)

David H. Howells Papers, MC 00263)

Access to Collection

Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice.

For more information contact us via mail, phone, fax, or our web form.

Mail

Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111

Telephone

(919) 515-2273

Fax

(919) 513-1787

Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], North Carolina State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Records, UA 100.014, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Access to Collection

The nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Access to Collection

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.