Ferrell, J. K. (James K.)

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.

From the description of James K. Ferrell papers, 1940-2000 [manuscript] (North Carolina State University). WorldCat record id: 589077913

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.

From the guide to the James K. Ferrell Papers, 1940-2000, (Special Collections Research Center)