ID: 11/6/12
Primary Creator: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Extent: 7.3 cubic feet
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Date Acquired: 09/29/2015
Subjects: Alumni, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department, Photographs, Students
Formats/Genres: Papers
Languages: English
Alumni file containing correspondence, forms, photographs and clippings relating to the academic and professional careers of graduates of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering including nomination forms; curricula vitae; certificates of eligibility; biographical information; course papers; confidential information folders including evaluations and grades; letters of recommendation; placement correspondence; employment records; school requests for alumni information; correspondence concerning careers, reprints and obituaries.
Electrical Engineering courses started as a division of the Physics Department in 1891. The Trustees approved a course in Electrical Engineering in 1891.1 The University of Illinois was comparatively late in offering a course in Electrical Engineering, but by 1894 the Department compared favorably with other Engineering Departments in equipment and facilities.2 The work of administration and instruction in Physics and Electrical Engineering separated temporarily into two departments in 1895, but were joined thereafter until 1898 when the department of Electrical Engineering was established as a separate unit.3 In 1919 the objectives were: to prepare men to engage in design, care and maintenance of electrical apparatus of all kinds.4 In 1972 the department's aims were to prepare men for responsible engineering positions in research, development, design, operation, sales, and administration in the fields of communication, computers, electronics and electrical power.5 In 1940, the Department absorbed the Department of Railway Engineering and its laboratory when that department was dissolved.6 Interdisciplinary courses are offered in conjunction with the departments of Astronomy, Biophysics, Computer Science, Mathematics, and the Coordinated Science Laboratory.7 From 1968 onward, computer science starts making an appearance in the electrical engineering curriculum. A specified sequence of electrical engineering courses enables specialization in the area of computer science.8
On February 16, 1984, the Board of Trustees received for record the president's report of Senate approval of a name change to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering to reflect "the breadth of emphasis" in the department.9
ECE includes the following departments:
--Analog Computer Laboratory
--Biophysical Research Laboratory
--Vermilion River Observatory:
Completed in 1962, the Vermilion River Observatory was the site of the University's radio telescope, which was used in the study of signals from radio sources in space. The project was financed by the Office of Naval Research and the
Astronomy and Electrical Engineering Departments:
--Radio Research Laboratory (1974)
1. Board of Trustees Transactions, 16th Report, March 11, 1891, p. 75.
2. Board of Trustees Transactions, 17th Report, 1894, p. 332.
3. Baker and King, History, 1:443.
4. University of Illinois Bulletin, Vol 16, no. 19, Jan. 6, 1919, p. 10.
5. Undergraduate Study Catalog, 1971-72, p. 285.
6. Baker and King, History, 1:504.
7. Research in Electrical Engineering, 1966, p. 88, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois.
8. University of Illinois Bulletin, Vol. 65, No. 109, May 1, 1968.
9. Board of Trustees Transactions, 62nd Report, Feb. 16, 1984, p. 485.
Repository: University of Illinois Archives
Access Restrictions: Please contact the University Archives to request access. Access only with permission of the University Archives and the Dean of the College of Engineering.
Other Note: 15 pages.
URL: https://files.archon.library.illinois.edu/uasfa/1106012.pdf
PDF finding aid for Alumni File (11/6/12)