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Administrative Policy Records of the University of Florida College of Engineering Office of the Dean

 Series
Identifier: Series 019

Scope and Content

This series contains the administrative records of the deans of the College of Engineering at the University of Florida beginning with the college's second dean, Blake Van Leer. (Records of John R. Benton are not extant.) The series documents the development of engineering curriculum and research. Included in the series are records related to the college's involvement with the Florida State Planning Board (1934-1944), the Florida Mapping Authority (1934-1942), the Florida Nuclear Development Commission, and the Florida Assembly of Atoms for Power. Also of interest are records related to the construction of the university's experimental nuclear reactor, early experiments in hurricane tracking, and development of a bomb proximity fuse during World War II.

During the early history of the university, the College of Engineering supervised much of the campus physical plant. The series contains data on electrical power consumption for the years 1929-1948, records related to drainage of Lake Alice, and records related to the university's phone system and water supply.

Dates

  • Creation: 1929-2015

Creator

Access

University Archives collections are available for research. Portions of the collections may be restricted due to the requirements of applicable state and federal laws, including but not limited to FERPA and HIPAA, and in accordance with best practices as defined by the Society of American Archivists.

Biographical/Historical Note

The College of Engineering at the University of Florida was created in 1909. (Prior to 1909, engineering courses were offered in the Technological School.) John Robert Benton was appointed the first dean. The initial departments were civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering. The first baccalaureate degrees in Engineering were awarded in 1909. A master's in engineering was offered in 1928, and the first Ph. D. in engineering at Florida was awarded in 1942.

Deans of the College of Engineering:

Benton, J. R. 1909-1930

Van Leer, Blake 1930-1937

Weil, Joseph 1937-1963

Martin, Jr., Thomas Lyle 1963-1968

Nattress, John (Acting Dean) 1968-1969

Uhrig, Robert 1969-1973

Chen, Wayne 1973-1988

Phillips, Winfred 1988-1999

Ohanian, M. Jack (Interim Dean) 1999-2001

Khargonekar, Pramod 2001-2009

Abernathy, Cammy 2009-2022

Forrest Masters (Interim Dean) 2022-

Extent

62.5 Linear feet (50 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Administrative records of the deans of the College of Engineering at the University of Florida beginning with the college's second dean, Blake Van Leer.

Arrangement

Organized into subseries: Subseries 1 (1929-1966), Subseries 2 (1963-1966), Subseries 19c (1958-1973), Subseries 4 (1951-2015).

Physical Location

Please note that this collection is housed in the Auxiliary Library Facility off campus and will require advance notice for timely retrieval. Please contact the Special and Area Studies Collections department prior to your visit.

Title
A Guide to the Administrative Policy Records of the University of Florida College of Engineering Office of the Dean
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Dept. Staff
Date
January 2012 (Updated May 2024)
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in English.

Revision Statements

  • July 2024: Student processed additional 39 linear feet.

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755