William E. Crockett

William Crockett, born in 1934, was raised in southwestern Pennsylvania, so it was natural for him to attend West Virginia University. He received his BSChE in 1956, his MSChE in 1958 and his PhD in 1962. He was elected to Omega Chi Epsilon, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Sigma Gamma Epsilon, Sigma Xi and Tau Beta Pi.

While at WVU, Crockett worked part time at the U.S. Bureau of Mines and taught chemical engineering courses as an instructor and assistant professor. In 1962, he started work as a senior chemical engineer at the Texaco Research Center in Beacon, New York. While there, Crockett taught math courses at Marist College part time.

In 1969, Crockett accepted a position at WVU's Kanawha Valley Graduate Center in Institute. He has been professor of chemical engineering and dean of engineering and science since 1977. The West Virginia Graduate College, now autonomous, awarded Crockett its Edward Dana Knight, Jr. Award for Outstanding Service in 1984.

Crockett has consulted for most of the chemical companies in the Kanawha Valley and has been a registered Professional Engineer since 1975. He has published papers on process control over the years and John Wiley published his text Chemical Engineering: A Review for the P.E. Test in 1986. In 1989, the AIChE began marketing his video tapes based upon the book. The text and video have had wide international acceptance.

Crockett is a member of the AIChE continuing education committee, was secretary, vice president and president of the Mid Hudson Section from 1965 to 1968 and recently completed terms as vice president and president of the Charleston Section of the AIChE.

Since 1957, Crockett has been married to Maureen, whom he met at WVU while she was getting her BA and MA in English. Their two children also graduated from WVU.