Ray L. Sweigert Papers
Collection
Identifier: MS453
This collection includes correspondence, academic papers, book manuscripts, department reports, personal research, and campus publications pertaining to Ray L. Sweigert's research, and to his work as Dean of Graduate Studies at Georgia Tech.
(two document cases, one half-size document case, and one oversize case)
None.
Permission to publish materials from this collection must be obtained from the Head of Archives and Special Collections.
2 Linear Feet
Series 1 of this collection contains papers relating to Sweigert's professional activities at Georgia Tech. Most of these documents relate to the expansion of the Graduate programs. There are also numerous pamphlets put out by the graduate schools of other universities around the nation. Several documents are publications pertaining to administration at Georgia Tech.
Series 2 of this collection contains Sweigert's personal research and correspondence. These include manuscripts for two books, including Diesel and Gas Engines and Thermodynamics; two short essays; correspondence about a second edition of the thermodynamics textbook; personal notes about thermodynamics; his thesis; an early resumé; and personal letters to Sweigert regarding his retirement.
Ray Leslie Sweigert, from Illinois, was born on November 24, 1898 to parents Milton and Evelyn Sweigert. He was a faculty member at the Georgia Institute of Technology (formerly the Georgia School of Technology) from 1929 until June of 1961, when he retired.
Sweigert received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois. Later, he went on to earn his Masters of Arts in Education and Engineering, as well as his Ph.D. in Engineering and Education, from the University of Iowa. His research interests were primarily in thermodynamics and engines.
Sweigert was a member of several honor societies, including Pi Tau Sigma, Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Kappa Delta, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education (later known as the American Society for Engineering Education), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
During Sweigert’s long career at Georgia Tech, he held various positions. He was the Head of General Engineering before the program was phased out, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and, for most of his career, Dean of Graduate Studies. While serving as the Dean of Graduate Studies, Sweigert actively tried to expand the size of the graduate student population, and several new graduate degrees were added during his tenure. He was able to expand the graduate program from 50 students to more than 600.
Ray Sweigert was married to Edna Sweigert (1897-1982) and together they had two children, Ray Leslie Jr. (1930-2010), who became a journalist and educator, and Milton Edward (1934-2009), who graduated from Georgia Tech and became an architect and professor at Southern Polytechnic State University.
Sweigert died on January 29, 1978, at the age of 79.
This collection is divided into two small series:
A print copy of this finding aid is available on request in the Georgia Tech Archives reading room.
This collection of personal papers was donated in 2012; accession no. 2012.045.
Two copies of Sweigert's textbook, Thermodynamics, have been separated and will be cataloged.
(two document cases, one half-size document case, and one oversize case)
Christine de Catanzaro and Sierra Harrison processed this collection in September 2013.
Part of the Archives and Special Collections, Library, Georgia Institute of Technology Repository