Israel Katz papers

Mechanical engineer Israel Katz devoted much of his career to educating present and future engineers. He spent 25 years at Northeastern University as a student, administrator, and faculty member. Katz entered Northeastern in 1937 after graduating from the Boston Trade School and earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with honors in 1941. In 1942 he was sent to MIT by the United States Navy where he earned a Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering degree (1942). Two years later, he received his Master of Mechanical Engineering degree in Experimental and Automotive Engineering from Cornell University. After completing his studies, he remained at Cornell as a staff member, devoting some of his time to Navy projects. Israel Katz was named assistant professor in 1946 and promoted to associate professor two years later. While teaching at Cornell, he also worked with General Electric and in 1957 left academia for a full-time position at its Ithaca, New York facility.

Israel Katz returned to Northeastern in 1963 to teach advanced engineering courses at the Center for Continuing Education. From 1967 to 1974 he also held the position of Dean of the Center for Continuing Education. During his time as Dean, Katz added highly technical engineering seminars to the curriculum, and he implemented a series of courses designed to teach practical engineering skills to students about to enter the workforce and to complement their academic education.

Resigning as Dean in 1974, Israel Katz spent his last years at Northeastern as Director of Advanced Engineering Programs and as a member of that department's faculty. He retired from teaching in 1988 and was granted the title of Professor Emeritus.

Throughout his career Katz published several books and numerous articles for engineering magazines and journals. In addition he frequently participated in academic and industry conferences, lecturing on a variety of topics within the engineering and continuing education fields.

Israel Katz married Betty Steigman in 1942. They have three daughters. He died in May 2003.

1917

Born

1935

Graduated from the Boston Trade School

1941

Received a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University

1942

Received a Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering degree from MIT; Married Bety Steigman

1944

Received a Master's of Mechanical Engineering degree from Cornell University

1946

Accepted the position of Assistant Professor at Cornell University

1947

"Some Aspects of Fuel Injection in Aircraft Engines" published

1948

Promoted to Associate Professor at Cornell University

1949

"Principles of Aircraft Propulsion Machinery" published

1957

Left Cornell University to work for General Electric

1963

Hired to teach engineering at Northeastern University's Center for Continuing Education

1967

Appointed Dean of the Center for Continuing Education

1974

Appointed Director of Advanced Engineering Programs at Northeastern University

1988

Retired as Professor Emeritus

1993

Received The New England Award from the Engineering Societies of New England

2003

Died