Guide to the James K. Ferrell Papers, 1940-2000

Collection Number MC 286

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Collection Information
Abstract:

The James K. Ferrell Papers, 1940-2000, include publications, reports, memoranda, a scrapbook, and other items demonstrating the history of the North Carolina State University Dept. of Chemical Engineering and the North Carolina State University College of Engineering (formerly the School of Engineering); annual reports, memoranda, correspondence, proposals, reviews, and other items related to the administration of the Dept. of Chemical Engineering, the College of Engineering, and the Triangle Universities Computation Center (TUCC); and research papers, proceedings, reports, publications, and slides produced through or related to Ferrell's research projects in chemical engineering, the bulk of which pertains to his work on two-phase flow and coal gasification.

James K. Ferrell (1923-2001) received the first doctoral degree awarded in chemical engineering by North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University) in 1954. After working in industry, Ferrell returned to NC State in 1956. He became a full professor in 1961 and served as head of the Dept. of Chemical Engineering from 1966 to 1980. In 1965, Ferrell was instrumental in bringing the Triangle Universities Computation Center (TUCC) to fruition, a mainframe system that served NC State along with Duke University, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and Research Triangle Park.

Contact Information:
Special Collections Research Center
NCSU Libraries
Campus Box 7111
Raleigh, North Carolina
27695-7111 USA
Phone: (919) 515-2273
Fax: (919) 513-1787
URL: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/specialcollections/
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Processed by
Kelly Clark, 2007 October
Encoded by
Kelly Clark, 2007 October

Descriptive Summary

Repository

North Carolina State University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center

Creator

Ferrell, James K., 1923-2001

Title

James K. Ferrell Papers, 1940-2000

Call Number

MC 286

Extent

6.5 linear feet, 13 archival boxes

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.

Language of Material

English

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information

Gift of James K. Ferrell, 31 July 2000 (accession number 2000-0014)
Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], James K. Ferrell Papers, MC 286, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Copyright Notice

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.

Biographical Note


James K. Ferrell (1923-2001), a native of Missouri, earned a bachelor's and master's degree in chemical engineering at the University of Missouri after serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II and earning a Purple Heart. He received the first doctoral degree awarded in chemical engineering by North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University) in 1954. After working in industry, Ferrell returned to NC State in 1956 to teach, and he became a full professor in 1961. He was named head of the Dept. of Chemical Engineering in 1966 and worked to increase the department's national profile until the end of his tenure in 1980.

In 1965, Ferrell was instrumental in bringing the Triangle University Computation Center (TUCC) to fruition, a mainframe system that served NC State along with Duke University, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and Research Triangle Park. Ferrell was the first president of the TUCC. He also directed several research programs in the College of Engineering (formerly the School of Engineering), served as the college's dean of research, and was named interim dean of the college. Ferrell continued his involvement at NC State even after his formal retirement in 1991. He was awarded the Holladay Medal for Excellence in 1993.

Scope and Content Note


The James K. Ferrell Papers, 1940-2000, include publications, reports, memoranda, a scrapbook, and other items demonstrating the history of the North Carolina State University Dept. of Chemical Engineering and the North Carolina State University College of Engineering (formerly the School of Engineering); annual reports, memoranda, correspondence, proposals, reviews, and other items related to the administration of the Dept. of Chemical Engineering, the College of Engineering, and the Triangle Universities Computation Center (TUCC); and research papers, proceedings, reports, publications, and slides produced through or related to Ferrell's research projects in chemical engineering, the bulk of which pertains to his work on two-phase flow and coal gasification.

Organization of the Collection


This collection is organized into the following three series: NC State Engineering History; Administrative Papers; Research Projects.

Online Catalog Terms


The following terms have been used to index the guide to the collection in the NCSU Library's online catalog.

Personal Names

  • Ferrell, J. K. (James K.)

Corporate Entities

  • North Carolina State University. Dept. of Chemical Engineering--History.
  • North Carolina State University. School of Engineering--History.
  • North Carolina State University. College of Engineering--Faculty.
  • Triangle Universities Computation Center

Topics

  • Chemical engineering--History--North Carolina.
  • Chemical engineering--Research--North Carolina.
  • Chemical engineering--Study and teaching--North Carolina.
  • Coal gasification--Research.
  • College teachers--North Carolina.
  • Universities and colleges--Administration--North Carolina.
  • Two-phase flow--Research.

Detailed Description of the Collection


  • Series 1: NC State Engineering History, 1940-2000


    1 linear feet, 2 archival boxes

    This series contains materials that James K. Ferrell compiled on the history of the North Carolina State University Dept. of Chemical Engineering as well as the NC State College of Engineering.

    • Chemical Engineering Brochures, 1958 - 1994, undated [MC 286 Box 1, Folder 1]
    • History, Chemical Engineering, 1986 - 1994, undated [MC 286 Box 1, Folder 2]
    • History, Chemical Engineering, 1970, 1991 - 2000 [MC 286 Box 1, Folder 3]
    • Annual Reports and Self Studies, Chemical Engineering, 1970 - 1994 [MC 286 Box 1, Folder 4]
    • Commencement, Chemical Engineering, 1940 - 1956 [MC 286 Box 1, Folder 5]
    • Faculty, Chemical Engineering, 1986 - 1993, undated [MC 286 Box 1, Folder 6]
    • Students, Chemical Engineering, 1940 - 1955, undated [MC 286 Box 1, Folder 7]
    • Buildings, Chemical Engineering, 1946 - 1975 [MC 286 Box 2, Folder 1]
    • Scrapbook, Chemical Engineering, 1958 - 1961, undated [MC 286 Box 2, Folder 2]
    • History, College of Engineering, 1957 - 1990 [MC 286 Box 2, Folder 3]
    • Annual Reports, College of Engineering, 1961 - 1966 [MC 286 Box 2, Folder 4]
    • Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas 1910-1990, book, 1990 [MC 286 Box 2, Folder 5]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • Series 2: Administrative Papers, 1964-1996


    1.5 linear feet, 3 archival boxes

    This series contains annual reports, correspondence, committee records, and other items regarding the administration of the NC State University Dept. of Chemical Engineering and its projects, as well as some of Ferrell's other administrative work.

    • Annual Reports, 1984 - 1986 [MC 286 Box 2, Folder 6]
    • Annual Reports, 1986 - 1988 [MC 286 Box 3, Folder 1]
    • Annual Reports, 1988 - 1989 [MC 286 Box 3, Folder 2]
    • Education and Technology Fee, 1994 - 1996 [MC 286 Box 3, Folder 3]
    • Christmas Invitation, 1982 [MC 286 Box 3, Folder 4]
    • Review of Departmental Leadership and Programs, 1995 [MC 286 Box 3, Folder 5]
    • Class of 1938, 1972 - 1973 [MC 286 Box 3, Folder 6]
    • Alumni Council, 1993 [MC 286 Box 3, Folder 7]
    • Alumni Council, 1994 [MC 286 Box 3, Folder 8]
    • Alumni Council, 1995 - 1996 [MC 286 Box 3, Folder 9]
    • Alumni Correspondence, 1992- 1994 [MC 286 Box 4, Folder 1]
    • Chemical Engineering Alumni Correspondence, 1991- 1992 [MC 286 Box 4, Folder 2]
    • Chemical Engineering Alumni Correspondence, 1992- 1993 [MC 286 Box 4, Folder 3]
    • Report of the Committee on Investment in Graduate Education, 1994 [MC 286 Box 4, Folder 4]
    • Triangle Universities Computation Center (TUCC), 1964 - 1969, 1994 [MC 286 Box 4, Folder 5]
    • Proposal to National Science Foundation for the Establishment of the Triangle Universities Computation Center (TUCC), 1965 [MC 286 Box 4, Folder 6]
    • ESAB Project Reviews, Center for Waste Minimization and Management, 1991, undated [MC 286 Box 4, Folder 7]
    • Principal Investigators Correspondence, Center for Waste Minimization and Management, 1991 [MC 286 Box 5, Folder 1]
    • EPA Correspondence, Center for Waste Minimization and Management, 1989 - 1993 [MC 286 Box 5, Folder 2]
    • Engineering Science Advisory Board (ESAB), 1991 [MC 286 Box 5, Folder 3]
    • TTAC Address List, 1991 [MC 286 Box 5, Folder 4]
    • Center for Engineering Applications of Radioisotopes, Review, 1979, 1995 [MC 286 Box 5, Folder 5]
    • Bill Turner Affair, 1987 - 1988 [MC 286 Box 5, Folder 6]
    • Computer Fee Proposal, 1988 - 1989 [MC 286 Box 5, Folder 7]
    • Richard M. Felder, Award Nominations, 1988 - 1996 [MC 286 Box 5, Folder 8]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • Series 3: Research Projects, 1954-1988


    4 linear feet, 8 archival boxes

    This series contains papers, both published and unpublished, and reports on or pertaining to Ferrell's research projects.

    • Proceedings of the Third International Heat Transfer Conference, vol. 1, 1966 [MC 286 Box 5, Folder 9]
    • Proceedings of the Third International Heat Transfer Conference, vol. 2, 1966 [MC 286 Box 6, Folder 1]
    • Proceedings of the Third International Heat Transfer Conference, vol. 3, 1966 [MC 286 Box 6, Folder 2]
    • Proceedings of the Third International Heat Transfer Conference, vol. 4, 1966 [MC 286 Box 6, Folder 3]
    • Proceedings of the Third International Heat Transfer Conference, vol. 5, 1966 [MC 286 Box 6, Folder 4]
    • Perspiration Poisoning of Protective Clothing, 1974 - 1984 [MC 286 Box 6, Folder 5]
    • Dye Displacement (1 of 2), 1954 - 1970 [MC 286 Box 6, Folder 6]
    • Dye Displacement (2 of 2), 1956 - 1958 [MC 286 Box 7, Folder 1]
    • Stack Monitoring, 1972 - 1979 [MC 286 Box 7, Folder 2]
    • Two-Phase Flow (1 of 7), 1961 - 1964, undated [MC 286 Box 7, Folder 3]
    • Two-Phase Flow (2 of 7), 1966 [MC 286 Box 7, Folder 4]
    • Two-Phase Flow (3 of 7), 1966 [MC 286 Box 7, Folder 5]
    • Two-Phase Flow (4 of 7), 1966 [MC 286 Box 7, Folder 6]
    • Two-Phase Flow (5 of 7), 1964, 1970 [MC 286 Box 8, Folder 1]
    • Two-Phase Flow (6 of 7), 1963 [MC 286 Box 8, Folder 2]
    • Two-Phase Flow (7 of 7), 1966 [MC 286 Box 8, Folder 3]
    • Heat Pipe (1 of 6), 1967 - 1975 [MC 286 Box 8, Folder 4]
    • Heat Pipe (2 of 6), 1967 - 1975 [MC 286 Box 8, Folder 5]
    • Heat Pipe (3 of 6), 1969 [MC 286 Box 9, Folder 1]
    • Heat Pipe (4 of 6), 1969 [MC 286 Box 9, Folder 2]
    • Heat Pipe (5 of 6), 1972 [MC 286 Box 9, Folder 3]
    • Heat Pipe (6 of 6), 1974 [MC 286 Box 9, Folder 4]
    • Waste Management, 1980 - 1981 [MC 286 Box 9, Folder 5]
    • Brooklyn Union Gas, 1981 - 1982 [MC 286 Box 10, Folder 1]
    • North Carolina Energy Institute, 1982 [MC 286 Box 10, Folder 2]
    • Re-refining Used Motor Oil, 1982 - 1984 [MC 286 Box 10, Folder 3]
    • Coal Gasification Facility, 1978 - 1982 [MC 286 Box 10, Folder 4]
    • Coal Gasification Clippings, 1978 - 1980, undated [MC 286 Box 10, Folder 5]
    • Coal Gasification (1 of 17), 1979 [MC 286 Box 10, Folder 6]
    • Coal Gasification (2 of 17), 1980 - 1986 [MC 286 Box 10, Folder 7]
    • Coal Gasification (3 of 17), 1981 - 1987 [MC 286 Box 11, Folder 1]
    • Coal Gasification (4 of 17), 1981 - 1987 [MC 286 Box 11, Folder 2]
    • Coal Gasification (5 of 17), 1982 - 1987 [MC 286 Box 11, Folder 3]
    • Coal Gasification (6 of 17), 1986 - 1988, undated [MC 286 Box 11, Folder 4]
    • Coal Gasification (7 of 17), 1988, undated [MC 286 Box 11, Folder 5]
    • Coal Gasification (8 of 17), 1978 - 1983 [MC 286 Box 11, Folder 6]
    • Coal Gasification (9 of 17), 1977 - 1981 [MC 286 Box 11, Folder 7]
    • Coal Gasification (10 of 17), 1977 [MC 286 Box 12, Folder 1]
    • Coal Gasification (11 of 17), 1980 - 1982 [MC 286 Box 12, Folder 2]
    • Coal Gasification (12 of 17), 1982 - 1983 [MC 286 Box 12, Folder 3]
    • Coal Gasification (13 of 17), 1980, 1983 [MC 286 Box 12, Folder 4]
    • Coal Gasification (14 of 17), 1979 [MC 286 Box 12, Folder 5]
    • Coal Gasification (15 of 17), 1983 - 1984 [MC 286 Box 12, Folder 6]
    • Coal Gasification (16 of 17), undated [MC 286 Box 13, Folder 1]
    • Coal Gasification (17 of 17), undated [MC 286 Box 13, Folder 2]
    • Project Slides, Coal Gasification, undated [MC 286 Box 13, Folder 3]
    • Project Slides, Coal Gasification, undated [MC 286 Box 13, Folder 4]
    • Project Slides, Oil Recycling, undated [MC 286 Box 13, Folder 5]
    • Project Slides, First Colony Farm Peat Field, undated [MC 286 Box 13, Folder 6]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]