North Carolina State University. Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

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 NCSU Historical State website .

• 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

From the guide to the North Carolina State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, 1920-2012, (Special Collections Research Center)