Gray, Lowell C.
Biographical Information
Lowell C. Gray was a member of the Purdue University Class of 1946. He was also a member of the V-12 program at Purdue.
The United States Navy designed the Navy College Training program, usually referred to as the Navy V-12 Program, to solve its own critical staffing problems. The V-12 program began at Purdue on July 5, 1943, with 1263 men. Successive enrollments raised the total to 2730 at Purdue, with approximately 400 of these men receiving Bachelor of Science degrees. The V-12 program was conducted in 16-week terms, and by giving a semi-term in the fall of 1943, Purdue was able to provide a single calendar for both civilian and Navy students. Separate options were offered in the structures and engines areas. The structures option required 12 credit hours of aerodynamics and 13 credits in aircraft structural theory, laboratory testing, materials and processes, structural design, and a course in vibrations and flutter. The engine option emphasized courses dealing with theory, testing, and design of aircraft power plants.