Named for a Purdue legend, the Andrey A. Potter Laboratory Building stands as a testament to technical education. This 30000 square foot structure honors Andrey Abraham Potter. He was a long-term Purdue West Lafayette dean of engineering.
The Andrey A. Potter Laboratory Building carries the name of a man born in Vilna Russia. He significantly shaped engineering education. Potter was born in 1882 and died in 1979 at the age of 97. He made a lasting impact.
Potter’s early career involved developing steam turbines for General Electric. From 1903 to 1905 he dedicated his talents to this pursuit in New York. Later he transitioned to academia.
Joining Kansas State University, Potter became a professor of mechanical engineering. He then became dean of mechanical arts. He served in that role for seven years starting in 1913.
In 1920 Potter came to Purdue University. He served as dean of engineering until his retirement in 1953. During his time Purdue became the largest and one of the most respected engineering colleges in the country.
Interestingly he briefly served as acting president of Purdue in 1945 to 1946. Though offered the permanent position he declined. This shows his dedication was to engineering.
Dean Potter earned the nickname “The Dean of Deans”. This recognized his influence on engineering education in the twentieth century. He consulted schools of engineering, industry, and government. Potter wrote books on engineering and over 300 scientific papers. Ten universities awarded him honorary doctorates.
The A.A. Potter Engineering Center was dedicated in 1977. It stands as an engineering research center. It also houses the Institute of Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies. The Andrey A. Potter Laboratory Building reflects Potter’s commitment to education. It supports Purdue University Northwest’s mission. It stands as a place for future engineers. It reminds all of Dean Potter’s profound legacy.