Biological & Agricultural Engineering History

A Brief History

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING AT NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

The beginnings of biological and agricultural engineering at NCSU trace back to around 1913. Two engineers were hired to work with drainage problems in Eastern North Carolina. Although they were listed as employees of both the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Agricultural Extension Service, their work was wholly extension as we would define it today. A teaching program in Agricultural Engineering at the North Carolina College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts began in 1920, with several courses offered through the Department of Agronomy. Two faculty members, one with a B. S. in Agriculture from Texas A&M and another with a B. S. in Agricultural Engineering from Mississippi A&M (now Mississippi State University), were hired to offer those courses. There was actually a specialized 4-year course offered in Agricultural Engineering, beginning in 1920-1921, but it attracted no students for several years.

In 1935, the 4-year program (which by this time consisted of 10 agricultural engineering courses) had its first graduate (awarded a B. S. in Agriculture). At about the same time, the educational program was changed to truly reflect its engineering character, and the degree name was changed to B. S. in Agricultural Engineering (the first student graduated in 1938).

Research efforts were initiated in 1937. By this time, the department was occupying space in both Ricks and Patterson Halls and was basically out of room. In 1940, the direct tie to Agronomy was severed, and Agricultural Engineering became a separate department. During that year, the teaching and research programs moved from Patterson Hall to Polk Hall's judging pavilion. The shop moved to Tompkins Hall. In 1944, the department (except for extension) moved to the NYA building, a wooden structure that existed to the east of the present Forestry complex on Western Boulevard.

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In 1947, the department moved again. This time, however, its fortunes definitely took an upswing. The new home was a recently constructed wing (known as Mangum Hall) on Clark Hall. From Clark, the Department moved to Weaver Labs, which was specifically constructed for Agricultural Engineering, in 1957. Weaver Labs was actually constructed over a period of about 16 years (1953-1969) in three phases. When completed, the facility contained about 95,000 gross square feet of space -- a tremendous improvement over some rather meager beginnings!

Besides the various and numerous homes that our department has occupied over the years, its educational programs have also been many and varied. The undergraduate engineering program was joined by an M. S. program in 1948. The Masters degree was redefined in 1954, when a terminal Masters in Agricultural Engineering (MAE) joined the Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering (U.S.A.). Also in the early 1950's, a Mechanized Agriculture undergraduate program was initiated. Eventually, this program and the engineering program would become known as the technology and science programs, respectively. In 1957, our department received permission to offer a Ph.D.

In 1965, our department changed its name to Biological and Agricultural Engineering, becoming the first agricultural engineering department to do so. This was early recognition that biology is the base science that differentiates our field of engineering from other fields. While there were many aspects of biological engineering evident at that time, the department continued to think of itself as a relatively traditional agricultural engineering program.

By the early 1990's, however, BAE realized that its future was tied to accepting and accenting the biological part of its name. Since that time, our undergraduate engineering degree has become Biological Engineering (with emphasis areas in biomedical/ bioinstrumentation, bioprocessing/food, environmental, and agricultural engineering). Our technology degree program is now Agricultural and Environmental Technology. Although we no longer also offer a 2-year major, our department teaches a substantial number of the service courses in the Agricultural Institute (math, machinery, soil and water, etc.)

A lot of the credit for the success and vision in our program must be given to our early leaders. Professor David Statham Weaver was the first Department Head and clearly saw the promise and potential of engineering in agriculture. He guided the department through its formative years (serving as Department Head 1940-1948). In 1948, David Weaver became Director of Extension, serving until 1961. Weaver recruited to the faculty Professor G. Wallace Giles who initiated the first formal research activity. Professor Giles led the department as head from 1948-1961. Under Giles leadership, the faculty base was assembled for the full teaching, research, and extension integration of the department. Among those he recruited was Dr. Francis Jefferson "Pat" Hassler. Dr. Hassler later became head of the department and served in that capacity from 1961 until his retirement in 1987. Dr. Hassler, in many ways, was the force behind what is recognized as biological engineering today. He was followed by Dr. James H. Ruff (1987-1990), Dr. David B. Beasley (1991-1999), and Dr. James H. Young (1999-Present)

Biological and Agricultural Engineering has benefited greatly from an extremely talented and committed faculty and staff throughout the years. Contributions by present and previous faculty and staff are too numerous to mention. Our graduates have distinguished themselves, just as their mentors have. For a list of recent high honors accorded our faculty see: Faculty Achieve Page.

The history of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State University can be characterized by visionary leadership, strong educational programs, cutting edge research, and exemplary public service. As we approach the 21st century, we are proud of our heritage and eager to add to the tradition. We truly believe our departmental motto: