Doing Cool Stuff Since 1893
With over a century of excellence and firsts, ECE has been at the forefront of engineering in North Carolina and the United StatesDepartmental History at NC State
Of all the departments and fields of study that North Carolina State University offers, the ECE Department has one of the longest histories. Dating back to 1893, the first Electrical Engineering course was offered, and became the first NC State course ever labeled “engineering.” In 1900, the first Electrical Engineering degrees were awarded, and the first Electrical Engineering laboratory was established. As the years progressed, so did the curriculum and prestige of the department. Through building moves, name changes, and program expansion, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department has become a prominent staple in the engineering community.
Department Heads
Veena Misra
2023- (Acting Head)
Daniel D. Stancil
2009-2023
Robert M. Kolbas
2008-2009 (Acting Head)
Robert J. Trew
2003-2008
John R. Hauser
2001-2003 (Acting Head)
John J. Grainger
2000-2001 (Acting Head)Robert M. Kolbas
1995-2000
John R. Hauser
1995 (Acting Head)
Ralph M. Cavin, III
1989-1995
Tildon H. Glisson
1988-1989 (Acting Head)
Nino A. Masnari
1979-1988
James F. Kauffman
1978-1979 (Acting Head)
Larry K. Monteith
1974-1978
George B. Hoadley
1954-1974
Cornelius G. Brennecke
1945-1954
Raymond S. Fouraker
1944-1945 (Acting Head)
William H. Browne, Jr
1908-1944From Electric to Computer
In celebration of our 100th Anniversary, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has compiled some of the major accomplishments, turning points, and significant happenings throughout our history.
A Timeline of Our History
- 2023
$100M CLAWS Hub Announced
The regional hub, “Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide Bandgap Semiconductors,” or CLAWS, led by North Carolina State University, includes one university partner, N.C. A&T State University, as well as six industry partners: Wolfspeed, Coherent Corp., General Electric, Bluglass, Adroit Materials and Kyma Technologies, Inc.
2019NSF AERPAW Initiative Starts at NC State
The Aerial Experimentation Research Platform for Advanced Wireless (AERPAW) is the nation’s first aerial wireless experimentation platform spanning 5G technologies and beyond, which will enable cutting-edge research — with the potential to create transformative wireless advances for aerial systems.
2018NC State Named First University-Based IBM Q Hub in North America
NC State became the first university in North America to establish an IBM Q Hub as part of the global IBM Q Network to advance quantum computing. Dr. Daniel Stancil was named as Executive Director of the Hub in 2019.
2017Department Celebrates 100th Anniversary
The year marked the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Department of Electrical Engineering, separated from Physics in 1917. With growing promotional efforts, a brand-new website, and new facilities like the MakerSpaces, the department put action to the celebration by setting the stage for the next hundred years.
2016MakerSpace Unveiled
Thanks to generous endowments from Dr. Robert Kolbas and Robbie Troxler, the department unveiled two makerspaces providing new fabrication and electronic testing capabilities to our students.
2016CAEML Center
Formed with University of Illinois: UC and Georgia Tech, The Center for Advanced Electronics Through Machine Learning, funded by the NSF and industry, aims to speed up design of microelectronic circuits and systems.
2014PowerAmerica
President Barack Obama and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) tap NC State to lead a $140 million advanced manufacturing institute to unite academic, government and industry partners in an effort to revolutionize energy efficiency across a wide range of applications, including electronic devices, power grids and electric vehicles.
2013Nano-Science & OOC
Department creates Minor in Nano-Science and Technology. Department creates first Online Open Course (OOC).
2012ASSIST Center
NC State awarded $18.5M NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST)
2011EPSE & Baliga receives National Medal
Department creates Masters in EPSE degree program. President Obama presents Dr. Jay Baliga with the National Medal of Technology.
2010Steer receives US Army Commander’s Award
Dr. Michael Steer received the U.S. Army Commander’s Award for Public Service for research that has helped American forces remotely counter roadside bombs – research that has saved hundreds of soldiers’ lives. Steer’s work, funded by the Army, has applications in electronic warfare and countering improvised explosive devices, commonly referred..Read More
2010REES & Keystone Science Center
Department creates REES undergraduate concentration and graduate certificate. FREEDM moves into the newly created Keystone Science Center building on Centennial Campus.
2008FREEDM Center
NC State awarded $20M NSF Engineering Research Center – Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management Systems (FREEDM)
2006Monteith Engineering Research Center
Engineering Graduate Research Center (EGRC) on Centennial Campus has been renamed the Larry K. Monteith Engineering Research Center (MRC), after the former Chancellor, former Dean of Engineering, and former ECE Head Dr. Larry K. Monteith.
2005EBII Completed
Engineering Building II completed; ECE moves out of Daniels Hall.
2003EBII
Ground is broken on Engineering Building II.
1997Troxler Design Center Opens
Located in Daniels Hall, the William F. Troxler Design Center opens in December, providing state-of-the-art laboratory space for students working on senior design projects. This marks the first time in the College of Engineering that an entire laboratory or facility is funded by an individual.
1996Engineering Grad Research Center
Engineering Graduate Research Center building construction completed, and opens the next year along with Partners I.
1995Center for Advanced Computing and Communications
The Center for Advanced Computing and Communications (CACC) reformed from the former Center for Communications and Signal Processing, established in 1982.
1992Robotics and Intelligent Machines
The Center for Robotics and Intelligent Machines was established, led by Dr. Ren Luo.
1992Senior-Level Design Course
In accordance with a push by ABET, a senior-level design course is implemented as part of the Bachelor’s degree requirements.
1991Power Semiconductor Research
The Power Semiconductor Research Center was established, led by Dr. B. Jayant Baliga.
1989First ECE on Centennial Campus
In desperate need of space, the Advanced Electronic Materials Processing (AEMP) Center obtains space in a newly constructed research facility on Centennial Campus, however, the department estimates a short-term need for space on the order of 10,000 sq. ft. and substantially more in the long-term.
1988Center for Advanced Electronic Material Processing
The founding of the NSF Center for Advanced Electronic Material Processing (AEMP), led by Dr. Nino Masnari, marked NC State as one of the first recipients of a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center (ERC) program grant.
1985Electric Power Systems Research
The Electric Power Systems Research Center was established in July, with Dr. John Grainger as its director.
1983Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
With the growth and influence of the modern computer growing, the Department of Electrical Engineering is renamed the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Spring of 1983.
1981Microelectronics Center
The Microelectronics Center for North Carolina was established at NC State.
1981Communications and Signal Processing
The NSF Center for Communications and Signal Processing is established, led by Dr. J. Benjamin O’Neal.
1979First Woman on Faculty
Sarah A. Rajala joined the Electrical Engineering faculty and became the first female Ph.D. faculty member to join the College of Engineering.
1978Option in Computer Engineering
With the growing importance of computer systems, an option in Computer Engineering is approved by the department’s faculty in 1976, with that program being implemented in 1978.
1963Master of Electrical Engineering
The Graduate Executive Council recommends the approval of a Master of Electrical Engineering degree to Chancellor Caldwell on November 7, 1962, with the Board of Higher Education in North Carolina approving it on March 1, 1963.
1960Irwin Holmes
Irwin Holmes was the first African American to receive an undergraduate degree from NC State, when he received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
1957Robert Clemons
Robert L. Clemons became the first African American to receive a degree from NC State, when he received a professional degree in electrical engineering.
1956African-American Undergrads
The first African-American undergraduate students entered NC State; all were engineering students. Walter Holmes enrolled in mechanical engineering with an aerospace option, and Irwin Holmes, Manuel Crockett, and Edward Carson enrolled in electrical engineering.
1953African-American Grad Students
The first African-American graduate students enrolled at North Carolina State. Hardy Liston (mechanical engineering) and Robert L. Clemons (electrical engineering).
1949Authorized to Grant Ph.D.
Authorization is granted to bestow the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering, with the first degree given in 1953.
1938Consolidation
Engineering instruction is consolidated from UNC Chapel Hill to NC State College, including the UNC Department of Electrical Engineering, providing a boon of faculty and equipment.
1936Accreditation
The Electrical Engineering curricula is accredited by the Engineers’ Council for Professional Development, now ABET.
1923School of Engineering
The School of Engineering was formed, consisting of the Electrical Engineering Department, Civil Engineering Department, Physics Department, Textile Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
1921First Woman at State
Lucille Thomson became the first woman ever to enroll at NC State. She enrolled in electrical engineering.
1917University Name Change
The College name changed from the “North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts” to the “North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering.”
1917Electrical Engineering becomes own Department
Due to the growth of the two programs and diverging needs, Physics is separated from Electrical Engineering, marking the beginning of the Department of Electrical Engineering, headed by Professor William Hand Browne, Jr., who would lead the department until 1944.
1910Winston Hall
Winston Hall was the first building primarily devoted to engineering activities; namely, electrical engineering, civil engineering, and the chemical department of the State Experiment Station.
1895Authorization to Grant MS
Authorization is granted to bestow the degree of Master of Science in Electrical Engineering at North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
1893First Electrical Course
The first electrical course is taught—studying electricity and magnetism, including the design of a dynamo and how to wire a building correctly—at the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts by Lt. Richard Henderson, U.S. Navy.
Brief Overviews
The first document chronicles the department from its inception to 1989. It was produced by a committee of three prominent faculty members of Dr. George B. Hoadley, former head of Electrical Engineering, Prof. Edward G. Manning, and Dr. William J. Barclay, chairman, all retired.
The second continues the story from 1990 to 2009, including many of the entrepreneurial ventures from alumni, and the creation of WolfTech, the department’s IT group.
