William K. Hatt papers

Dr. William Kendrick Hatt was president of the Indiana Engineering Society from 1907 to 1908. Hatt was born at Frederickton, New Brunswick, Canada, October 10, 1868. His parents were George Hatt and Sarah Elizabeth (Clark) Hatt. In 1887 at the age of 19 he received his A. B. degree from the University of New Brunswick. After some railroad engineering experience, he entered Cornell University as a student, obtaining his C. E. degree there in 1891. In 1891-1892 he served as Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of New Brunswick and then returned to Cornell University as Instructor in Civil Engineering. After one year's service at Cornell, he came to Purdue University in 1893 as Associate Professor of Civil Engineering. In 1896 Professor Hatt was appointed Associate Professor of Applied Mechanics and Director of the Materials Testing laboratory. He attained full professorship in 1902. The first timber testing laboratory in this country was established by Dr. Hatt at Purdue for the Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Many important timber investigations were conducted under his direction during the period 1902 to 1908. In 1906 he was appointed Head of the School of Civil Engineering and served in that capacity until 1937 when he became full-time director of the Indiana Joint Highway Research Project. On December 31, 1938 he retired from University service. Hatt was President of the Indiana Engineering Society from 1907 to 1908. In 1914-1915 he served the state of Indiana as Engineer for the State Flood Commission, making important studies following the disastrous flood of 1913. In 1926 he also served as Consulting Engineer on the Indiana War Memorial. After 14 years in retirement as Professor Emeritus, he passed away on March 31, 1952.