North Carolina State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering records 1920-2017

Summary
Contents
Names/subjects
Using these materials
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Creator
North Carolina State University. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Size
37.82 linear feet (24 archival boxes, 4 legalboxes, 2 cardboxes, 52 flatfolders, 5 cartons, 3 reels); 3 websites
Call number
UA 100.014

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. There is also a large series of drawings and plans mainly of agricultural structures. Materials range in date from 1920 to 2013.

Organized agricultural engineering education at North Carolina State began in 1917, as an offering of several related courses in the Department of Agronomy. 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. In 1965, the department adopted its current name.

Biographical/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 NC State University Historical State website.

List of Department Heads
1940-1948
David S. Weaver
1948-1961
G. Wallace Giles
1961-1987
Francis J. "Pat" Hassler
1987-1990
James H. Ruff
1991-1999
David B. Beasley
1999-2006
James H. Young
2006-
Robert O. Evans

Scope/content

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. There is also a large series of drawings and plans mainly of agricultural structures. The 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 2013.

Arrangement

The records of the North Carolina State University Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering are arranged in seven series: Departmental Information, Research and Development, Extension and Outreach, Publications, Photographs and Slides, Audiovisual Materials, and Drawings and Plans. Materials are arranged chronologically within each series with the exception of the Drawings and Plans series, which is arranged in the order received.

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University 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.

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.

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, NC

Related material

Source of acquisition

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

Processing information

Processed by Kristine Huynh and Cathy Dorin-Black; Finding aid written by: Pat Webber, Barbara Weinberg, and Cathy Dorin-Black, updated by Gevorg Vardanyan, 2023 June

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

Access to the collection

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to digital files may require additional advanced notice.

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

Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111

Phone: (919) 515-2273

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, NC

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University 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.

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.