100 Years of Engineering Celebration
In 2021, we proudly celebrated a century of engineering excellence—a milestone marking 100 years of innovation, dedication, and progress. From the groundbreaking achievements of the early 20th century to the cutting-edge technologies shaping our world today, this centennial honored the visionaries, problem-solvers, and trailblazers who transformed challenges into opportunities. As we looked back on the legacy built over the past hundred years, we also looked ahead with excitement, inspired to continue engineering a better, more sustainable future for generations to come.
I am excited about what this year will bring as we celebrate “100 Years of Engineering” at Geneva College. We have been working and reworking plans despite the pandemic to commemorate Geneva’s Engineering Department history. The activities commence this month, and I write to you to share what is to come..."
Read Dr. Comer's special update (.pdf)
Dr. Anthony C. Comer
Engineering Dept. Chair
History of Geneva College Engineering
1920-1940Geneva College started its engineering program in the academic year 1920-21. The course of study consisted primarily of drafting and surveying classes taught by Henry C. Thompson (BS in CE, Bucknell University.) 1920-1940Arthur C. Edgecombe was appointed the professor of engineering in 1921. The 1940's brought about a detailed 3+2 program where students could spend three years at Geneva and then transfer to Carnegie Institute of Technology or the University of Pittsburgh. 1940-1960Katherine Cartwright (BS, Geneva College) served as the only full-time female faculty member. In 1947, under the leadership of Dr. William E. Cleland, Geneva offered the first full four-year degree in engineering, the Bachelor of Science In Industrial Engineering (BSIE). 1960-1980In 1965, the original Science Hall built from 1897 to 1913, was renovated and surrounded by a new structure that quadrupled its original size. A new course, Computer Programming (Engineering 110), was introduced in 1967 to teach fortran using IBM 1130. 1967The quality of Geneva's engineering programs were enhanced when professors such as Richard H. Gordon (pictured) (BEE, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; MS, Columbia University) were hired. 1980-2000Engineering enrollment reached a peak of over 300 students in the early 1980s. During this time, John “Jack” Pinkerton spearheaded the development of the Center for Technology Development at Geneva, allowing faculty members and students to work with governmental and industrial partners on research and developmental projects. Dr. Gordon left in 1983 and Dr. Reyle became the chair for seven years. Pictured Left to Right: John “Jack” Pinkerton, John Schaefer, and Charles Fuget. 1990Charged with leading the Engineering program to accreditation was newly appointed department chair, James S. Gidley, PhD. The Harvard-educated Gidley began his tenure at the helm in 1990, addressing several challenges. Dr. Gidley says, “My main task was to get us ABET accredited and keep the department stable." The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET came to campus in October 1994, resulting in the BSE program accreditation in 1995. 2000-2020Richard F. Harwood (BSME, MSME, North Dakota State University) took over as chair from 2001 to 2003, a period with a great deal of renovation on the Science and Engineering Building and the construction of the Rapp Technical Design Center. This expanded the Engineering lab space by more than 50% and officially gave the college a building primarily dedicated to the Engineering program. 2013Geneva's engineering program was included in the top 100 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs rankings in 2013. During this time as well, engineering enrollment peaked at 243, the highest it had been for 25 years. By 2016, over 300 Geneva students were majoring in engineering. 2019-CurrentDr. Gidley, department chair for nearly one-third of the program’s history, stepped down as chair in 2019 and entered a phased retirement this year. He continues at half load in 2021-2022. Dr. Anthony Comer (pictured) accepted the call to lead the department. Under Comer’s leadership, Geneva Engineering again achieved top 100 rankings in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report.
