Newsletter Archives; Fall 1997

From 1962 to 1964, he was employed by the Boeing Company as a Research Specialist. His career with the University of Washington began with his appointment as Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering on September 16, 1964. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1968 and to Professor in 1975. He retired, and was voted Professor Emeritus by his colleagues, effective December 16, 1996.

During his 32-year career at the University of Washington, Professor Corlett taught virtually every Department of Mechanical Engineering course offering involving fluid flow and thermal considerations. He also taught a course in Fire Thermophysics for several years in the College of Forest Resources. He supervised 41 master's theses and 8 doctoral dissertations.

Professor Corlett's research career focused on fire behavior and modeling, as well as the analysis and design of combustion systems, and energy management. He served as Principal Investigator of over 20 externally funded research projects.

From 1983 to 1994, Professor Corlett was heavily involved in administrative activities. From 1983 to 1986 he was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Engineering. One of his major responsibilities in that position was the formation of the Department of Technical Communications. From 1986 through August 15, 1994 he was Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He remembers his term as Department Chair as a time of major modernization of the Department. During the 1980s, there were many retirements and many new members, mostly at entry level, joined the faculty. During most of this period, the Department experienced heavy demand for its undergraduate program. The graduate program grew rapidly and a wide array of new research projects were initiated.

Professor Corlett is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Combustion Institute. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Washington. Over the years he has consulted for Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, the Boeing Company and many other organizations, large and small.

In accordance with the University's retiree-rehire policy, Professor Corlett is teaching full-time during Autumn Quarter 1997, and plans to return for one or two more autumn quarters. He is still active in research, graduate supervision and consulting.