first graduates of industrial arts department, 1963
The Department of Technology at Appalachian State University has evolved considerably since its inception nearly 50 years ago. When the original “Industrial Arts” building opened in Fall 1961, it was with a staff of one and a student enrollment of fifty. By 1963, the faculty had grown to four members and the student enrollment had increased to 216. This contrasts markedly to the current day, with a full-time faculty of 32 members, part-time and adjunct faculty totaling over 20, and a student enrollment of nearly 900 majors.
The original structure, still officially called “W. Kerr Scott Hall,” consisted of only 16,500 square feet of office and laboratory space. An addition in 1967 brought the total size of the building up to 39,500 square feet. After lobbying and years of planning by then department chairman Dr. Frank Steckel and colleagues, the Department was granted approval for a construction contract for building expansion. Passive solar energy and natural lighting were features incorporated by architect John Wood of Asheville, who designed the building. Clerestory windows facing due south provide daylighting and cross ventilation. Construction on the building addition (the part of the building now known as “Katherine Harper Hall”) began in September 1985. The addition significantly expanded classroom and laboratory space, creating the current total of 82,500 square feet. Not surprisingly, the department, which has more than doubled its numbers of faculty and students since 1990, is once again feeling the need for space to supports its expanded programming, research, and studio needs.
Please take this opportunity to browse through these historical photos from the University’s archives.
Students working with machinery in a workshop in Kerr Scott Hall, 1963
Speaker during an Electronics Industries Alliance (EIA) conference, April 1979
Student working at a drafting table in a drafting class, 1960's
Assistant Professor Bill Hanner performing an experiment during a class, 1970's
Professor Frank Steckel sitting on a stool, 1960's
Students manufacturing furniture in a workshop during a period furniture course, 1960's
Group of Industrial Arts students sitting around a table with a poster and a windshield wiper regulator, February 1973
Administrators and faculty holding a plaque for five year service award for the department, 1970's
Students working to raise a totem pole outside of Kerr Scott Hall, July 1971
Student working on attaching wings onto a totem pole outside of Kerr Scott Hall, July 1971
Three women working with wood during a woodworking course, 1960's
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