Professor of Mechanics and Hydraulics (1929-1971)
Chair of Mechanics and Hydraulics (1942-1971)

Mention Joe Howe to former students and colleagues and you witness a shower of accolades: “devoted,” “kind and gentle,” “approachable,” “encouraging.” A graduate of the College, Howe gave back to his alma mater through his strong personal interest in students, mingled with high expectations regarding their performance. Howe reshaped the department’s curriculum and established policies that preferentially engaged graduate students in contract research, efforts that led to dramatic growth of the graduate program. The unusually strong friendship and collegial partnership that Howe formed with Hunter Rouse led to parallel efforts that established the Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research and the Department of Mechanics and Hydraulics as international leaders in hydraulic-engineering education.

Inducted: Saturday, June 11, 2005