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It is unclear who "pushed" for engineering at LBSC, but it is known that
Drs. George Appleton, John Fredrickson from physics; Drs. Edwin Becker,
Robert Henderson from chemistry and geology's Bert Conrey were engineering
oriented and aware that engineering could make a contribution to their
respective programs.
Engineering began in the Division of Natural Science. Members of the Long
Beach Chapter of the California Society of Professional Engineers and local
practicing engineers encouraged the program's development.
Glen Miller and Frank Nichol, Consulting Engineers; Phil Finkelstein, BE
Naval Shipyard;
Mills Hodge, Proctor and Gamble; Dr. Ed Van Driest, North American
Aviation; Charles Vicers and Robert Hoffmaster of the Long Beach Harbor
Department and College President Victor Peterson commissioned Dr. Robert E.
Vivian, Dean of Engineering at the University of Southern California to
start engineering at Long Beach.
Dr. Vivian asked USC Professors Rod Lewis, electrical engineering,
Herluf Nielsen, mechanical engineering and Carl Neidengard, Southwest City
College, formerly from USC, to develop the courses and lists of equipment
necessary for the
three options: civil, electrical, and mechanical.
Two engineering faculty were appointed in fall 1957: Dr. Vivian was
designated as dean of the Engineering Department and Dr. Neidengard was an
associate professor. Dr. Vivian's academic appointment was not effective
until 1958, in tandem with his retirement from the University of Southern
California.
The Physical Science Department provided the first year funding for a small
offering of freshmen and sophomore level courses in fall 1957. Dr. Vivian
taught Introduction to Engineering. Professor Neidengard and two part-time
faculty, Dr. Lawrence Kundis, Mr. John Dawson with Mr. Leonard Torres taught
the following classes: Introduction to Engineering, Engineering Drawing,
Descriptive Geometry, Stats and Surveying.
Willard Reed
Our Administration/Faculty Today
As a
result of the hard work of our past and present faculty and
administration, the School of Engineering has grown into seven
departments. The departments are Aerospace, Chemical,
Civil, Computer Engineering & Computer Science, Electrical, Engineering
Technology, and Mechanical. We have
listed the current College of Engineering Administration and Department
Chairpersons to represent the seven engineering departments and their
faculty. |
